"There has been a significant decrease in children complaining about any kind of mind or body-related pain or issues, as you can see on the graph here," a younger medic pointed to the board next to her. "If you flip to the next page," she said as she did so herself. "You can see that most of the time, simple therapy sessions have been working well, however, in some cases, the trauma seems to be more resilient. We have been working closely with other departments, trying medications and sometimes even physical therapy."

"So, as I can see, there has been a substantial improvement to children's mental health from therapy alone," Sakura assessed. "While I do agree that sometimes talking about it is not enough, I would suggest considering any kind of medication very carefully, many of these children are very young, and most medications can have serious side effects down the road. Make sure to always consult with multiple doctors before prescribing anything."

"And dosage should be carefully calculated as well," Ino added from Sakura's side.

"Of course," the girl giving the presentation nodded. She explained the rest of the data from the files and took her seat, her cheeks flushed.

"Okay, before we finish up the meeting," Sakura said as she organized her files. "Ino and I have been looking into alternative forms of therapy besides talking. A dear friend of mine has dealt with trauma through art his whole life, and it got me thinking that, perhaps, to those children who are not very good at expressing themselves with words, it would be beneficial to try a different approach. We are still working out the exact therapy plan, but if it does work, we might introduce not only art therapy, but music as well later on. I am also considering putting more emphasis on physical therapy and meditation. Mind and body balance is crucial, as we all know. If you have any suggestions regarding these new methods, please do not hesitate to contact either Ino or me," Sakura stood up. "Thank you."

As Ino and Sakura left the conference room, Ino looked at her friend, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Hey, that young medic presenting sure wanted to impress Haruno-san, no?"

"What even are you talking about, Pig?" Sakura sighed.

"I'm just saying," Ino shrugged. "Her cheeks were a deeper shade of red than that hideous dress you're wearing," she smiled sweetly.

"She was just nervous about talking in front of people," Sakura waved off her friend's implications. She did not have time for her nonsense.

"Or, and I'm just pointing out the obvious, she has a crush on you along with all the new medics and nurses we've been hiring."

"They do not!" Sakura looked at her with wide, incredulous eyes.

"They sure do! They are always whispering about the great Haruno-san who can not only heal anyone but also crush a whole continent with her little finger. And she's also young despite being so accomplished and she's beautiful as well," Ino listed.

Sakura flushed, she was at a loss for words. "You're just exaggerating, Pig. And I can't crush a whole continent!"

"Have you ever tried?" Ino challenged.

"No…"

"Then how the hell would you know?" She waved a hand dismissively. "I'm sure you could if you wanted to, maybe not with your little finger but your index finger for sure. Anyway. Want to get some tea? I'm off for the day and I know for a fact that so are you."

"I'd love to," Sakura started and Ino knew instantly that she was going to decline. "But I have tons of paperwork waiting for me in my office. Sorry, maybe another time."

Maybe next time, echoed Sakura's subconscious.

–––

Sakura watched as Naruto excitedly explained to Hinata why the new instant ramen flavor that had just come out is the best thing ever and how he was going to buy up all of it. Sakura was in a different aisle of the shop and they hadn't noticed her yet. Naruto, of course, was hard to ignore with his boisterous ambiance.

Naruto had been dating Hinata for a couple of months now and things seemed to be going great. Although, he did take her to Ichiraku's exclusively for their first twenty dates or so, until Sakura took it upon herself to – literally – beat some sense into him and tell him to put some more effort into his relationship. That just because Hinata had loved him almost her whole life did not mean that she had to put up with his lazy ass or shouldn't be allowed to want more than just ramen and walks through the streets of Konoha.

Two days later, Naruto showed up at her office, asking for help to plan the perfect date. Though Sakura came to realize that he didn't need much help at all, as soon as he put his mind to it and actually put in some work, he planned a lovely date, with a walk in the newly opened botany and a candle lit dinner and desert on top of the Hokage mountain, watching as the village slowly lit up as the sun set.

Sakura was so, so happy for her best friend, but she couldn't help but feel a little saddened. Sure, she and Sasuke kept in touch and sent each other letters, but that just wasn't the same as actually getting to hold a person close to you, to be able to touch them. She loved him and she would wait for as long as she needed to but some days were just harder than others.

"Hey guys," Sakura walked up to Hinata and Naruto.

"Oh, hey, Sakura-chan! How are you?" Naruto asked as he looked up momentarily from shoveling instant ramen into his cart.

"Oh, you know," Sakura shrugs. "Just got off my shift so I thought I'd do a quick grocery run before heading to the clinic. How about you guys? I haven't seen you around much."

"That's because you're always working so hard, Sakura," Hinata smiled at her. "Why don't you join us for dinner sometime this week?"

"Yeah, that's a great idea, Hinata-chan!" Naruto perked up. "You can try this new instant ramen flavor!"

Sakura looked unsure, eying the heap of instant ramen cup piling in the cart. She smiled, lips tightly pressed together. "I think I can manage one night," she eventually agreed. She missed her best friend, if she was honest. Between running both the hospital and the clinic and his training to become the Hokage one day as well as his new relationship… They didn't see each other nearly as much as they would have liked.

"Naruto-kun," Hinata looked at him nervously. "I was thinking maybe I could make something? It is a special occasion after all. With both you and Sakura being so busy."

Sakura bit back a smile, Hinata really has grown. It was no small feat to try to dissuade Naruto from eating ramen, especially a new flavor! He looked deep in thought.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he picked up a cup and handed it to Sakura. "But Sakura-chan, you have got to try this. I promise you, it's totally gonna blow your mind!"

Sakura grinned at him, he willingly gave up one of his precious ramen cups for her. "Sure thing, Naruto."

–––

Another birthday passed without Sasuke. Sakura turned twenty, celebrating with her friends at Ino's house, wearing the hairpin Sasuke had given her two years prior. After she'd gone home, she found a note on her kitchen counter.

Happy birthday, Sakura.

Sasuke

Some dried-up white orchid petals fell on the countertop as Sakura unfolded his note. She squeezed one of the petals to her chest and heaved a sigh.

–––

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura bowed as she entered the Hokage's office.

"Sakura," Kakashi greeted her. "I've got some great news for you. The Kazekage himself has reached out and requested that you help Suna develop a clinic, after seeing the success of our own."

"What? Really?" Sakura's jaw drops. She knew the clinic was doing well and that the wait list for patients and new doctors and nurses seemed to be endless. She didn't expect, however, the news of success to travel so far.

"Indeed," Kakashi's eyes crinkled proudly. "I'm sure you're aware of the Kazekage's own childhood. He does not want to see the children of his village to suffer the way he had to. I thought you and Ino could go with you since, as I understand it, she was of significant help while establishing our own clinic, correct?" Sakura nodded. "Very well. Kazekage-sama said they are ready for your arrival whenever it is convenient to you. I advise you work out a schedule for your trip and sort out your work in the hospital and the clinic."

"Oh, that's right…" Sakura worried her bottom lip. "Who will take care of my directorial duties while I'm away?"

"I'm sure Lady Tsunade would be more than happy to help," Kakashi assured her. "Please see to it that you have an itinerary work out and you're ready to leave within a week."

"Hai," Sakura bowed.

She left the Hokage's office and headed home. It was already dark outside and she wondered who got less sleep these past couple of years: Kakashi or her? She bumped into Sai outside the building.

"Oh, hey, Sai. A new mission already?" Sakura asked. Sai had been rather busy the past couple of months, with rehabilitating ROOT as well as missions outside of the village.

"Hey, Sakura," he gave her a smile that seemed to be getting more and more genuine each day. "Yeah, I'll probably be heading out right after the briefing."

"Well, take care," Sakura said. Then, after a second. "I'll actually be heading out soon as well, to Suna."

"That sounds great, Ugly. Make sure to keep hydrated, I hear it's quite dry over there these days," he said. "Wouldn't want you all wrinkly."

"I'll have you know I moisturize daily!" Sakura said defensively.

"It's good to know that despite your inhuman strength you at least maintain some sort of femininity," he teased wryly.

"Careful what you say or I won't hesitate to use my inhuman strength on you," Sakura threatened.

"Ooh, how scary," he said with a straight face. "I'll see you when we're both back."

Sakura sighed. This guy… "Yeah, see you," she waved. She took to the roofs and headed toward her apartment.

She locked the door behind her and went straight to the kitchen, where the window was slightly ajar, so that Sasuke's hawks could get in to deliver any messages when she wasn't home. She sighed at the sight of the empty countertop. She hoped he was doing alright, it had been a while since she'd gotten a letter. Each day his absence weighed heavier and heavier on her chest.

That night Sakura dreamed of a dark head of hair, onyx and purple eyes, a small, barely-there smile greeting her at the gates of Suna. A strong arm wrapping around her waist as she cries into proud shoulders. A soft whisper, assuring her he's there. She woke up to soft rays of sunshine peeking through her blinds, a lonely bed and lonelier heart.

–––

Tsunade invited Sakura out to dinner and a few drinks two days before she was scheduled to head out with Ino. Sakura pushed the door open to the izakaya and spotted Tsunade in one of the corner booths.

"Hey, Tsunade-shishou," Sakura sat down. "I see you've already started," she pointed to the half-empty sake bottle on the table. "Sorry, I got held up at the clinic."

"It's alright," Tsunade waved a hand to a waiter. "I'd imagine it's difficult handing over control. You don't have to worry about the hospital at least, Shizune and I will handle it," she turned toward the waiter. "We'll have another bottle of this. And whatever she wants to eat," she motioned toward Sakura. She ordered some agedashi tofu and pour herself a cup of sake.

"I know," Sakura said. "Thank you for coming out of retirement to take care of things in my absence, shishou."

"I've been bored anyway, now that Naruto's arm has fully been adapted by his body. How is he anyway?"

"I actually ran into him the other day, he was chatting Hinata's ears off about a new ramen flavor at the shops," Sakura chuckled at the memory.

"I take it things are going well for them," Tsunade stared at her cup. "What about you?" She gazed up at Sakura.

"M-me?" Sakura stuttered in shock. "You know… I'm just… I don't know. Waiting, I guess?"

"You can't wait forever," Tsunade said sternly. "You have young boys and girls drooling all over you. Look at our poor waiter, he nearly tripped over his own feet when he spotted you."

Sakura's cheeks were tinted a vibrant pink. "That's not true. And that's rich coming from you. Didn't you reject anyone who even dared look at you the wrong way after Dan died?"

"That's different. Dan and I were committed. I love him still and I will not betray him," Tsunade said stubbornly.

"Yeah, well I don't see how that's any different from my situation," the waiter came and interrupted their brewing argument.

Tsunade drank in silence for a while as Sakura ate. "I just want you to be happy, kid."

Sakura wanted to say that she was. And that wouldn't have been a complete lie. She was happy, in more than one aspect of her life. Her love life just wasn't one of those aspects. But she would endure. "Hey, shishou?" Sakura looked up after some consideration. "Would you bet against the success of my love life? Your bets fail most of the time, don't they? I should be good, then, right?"

"You got it, kid," Tsunade laughed.

–––

"I hope everything will be alright while we're away," Sakura said to Ino as they left the gates.

"Don't be such a worrywart," Ino said. "Anyway, I've got some hot gossip. Shikamaru and Temari? Totally banging."

Sakura almost lost her footing on a branch. "What? And why would you put it like that?"

"Why? They are totally boning," Ino emphasized. "I knew there was something after that mission in the Land of Silence, but now I'm totally sure."

"Oh, right, Shikamaru asked her out after the mission, didn't he?" Sakura remembered. "I didn't know that went anywhere. Temari is the diplomatic relation between Konoha and Suna, I just thought that's why they spend so much time together when she's in the village."

"Oh, please. There's this atmosphere around them, I can totally feel it. Like, who do they think they are fooling? Walking a respectable distance from one another doesn't mask the undeniable chemistry there," Ino reasoned. "They are so dating. I might just confront Temari once we're in Suna. Shikamaru would just tell me I'm 'troublesome' and shrug me off."

"Yeah, and Temari might just knock you out with that giant fan of hers," Sakura chuckled.

"Oh… Yeah, that's right. Well, maybe I'll just poke around then," Ino shrugged. "Ah! And get this! Chouji has been seeing that girl from Kumogakure! He's always finding excuses to travel to Kumo, such bullshit reasons."

"What girl?" Sakura asked in shock as she inched closer to Ino.

"Karui," Ino replied.

"The… tough girl?" Sakura asked, unsure.

"Yeah, the very one. Honestly, good for Chouji, she is really pretty. I'm impressed. But, anyway, the other day he was like 'I'm going to Kumo to deliver some documents' and I was like 'oh, really? Why can't a hawk just do that?' and he got alllll red in the face and started mumbling and stuttering like the idiot that he is. So, I was like 'enough of this' and confronted him and asked he was going to see his girlfriend and I swear I thought his head was going to explode he was blushing so much but he eventually admitted it. Apparently, they've been a thing for a couple of months now! Can you believe that?"

"Wow," Sakura said. "Good for Chouji, though the distance must suck."

"Well, wouldn't you know," Ino raised an eyebrow. Seeing the sour expression on Sakura's face, Ino asked in a softer tone. "Still no letters?"

"Nope," Sakura sighed. "I worry something bad has happened and it's just so frustrating that I wouldn't even know if he was seriously injured or anything…"

"I'm sure he's fine. I mean who would be stupid enough to try to attack a one-armed, katana wielding, rogue looking guy with a scary eye?"

Sakura laughed. "Yeah, I suppose that is true. I know he can take care of himself… it's not that I don't have faith in him. I just worry."

"That's only natural when you love someone," Ino said.

"I guess you're right," Sakura turned toward Ino. "What about you?"

"Well," Ino sported a rare blush. "I, uh… I guess you won't be surprised but I've been thinking about asking Sai out," she admitted.

Sakura knew Ino liked Sai, ever since he had joined Team Kakashi. She didn't know it was serious enough that she was considering asking him out, though. Ino talked about a lot of guys, many of whom had asked her out. She had tales of bad first dates that could go on for days. She didn't know how Sai felt about her friend exactly but she was sure he had a soft spot for her since she rescued him from Gengo's genjutsu.

"Go for it, I say," Sakura encouraged her.

"Oh, I will. I'm just… not exactly sure how to go about it," Ino said. "I mean… Do I drop hints? Do I just go up to him and tell him I like him? Do I send him flowers? Like… I guess he's always reading those books, so he could probably figure out the meaning. I just don't know."

"Honestly…" Sakura considered and slightly cringed at the former ROOT member's obliviousness. "You might just want to tell him straight on. As much as he's progressed, he's still not all that good with reading human emotions."

"Yeah, maybe you're right."

–––

That night, after they had set up camp and gone to sleep, Sakura dreamed of Sasuke. He was waiting for her near the gates to Sunagakure. As Ino and her approached their destination, Sakura sensed a familiar chakra, her feet slowed down until she stood completely still. A sudden gust of wind blew her hair in her eyes. When her vision cleared, she was greeted by the sight of Sasuke, standing right in front of her.

He poked her forehead. "Sakura…"

"Sakura! Forehead!" Ino was poking all over Sakura's body.

"Stop it, Pig!" Sakura slapped Ino's hand away. "What is it?" It was still dark, they didn't leave until dawn.

"You were mumbling in your sleep. I couldn't sleep because of it."

"Oh," Sakura blushed. "I'm sorry."

Ino went back to her futon and Sakura turned on her side. She was soon enveloped by a dreamless sleep.

–––

The next night, Sakura dreamt of Sasuke again. This time, he was waiting for her at the gates. Ino was nowhere to be seen, but Sakura barely noticed, she was so overjoyed at the sight of Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun!" She stopped in front of him.

"Sakura. How are you?" He smiled.

"I'm fine. I've missed you. How's your arm?" She asked.

Sasuke lifted an artificial arm, wrapped carefully. "It's working great."

"I'm glad," Sakura smiled brightly. He poked her forehead with his bound fingers. Her smile widened.

Sakura woke to a slight breeze caressing her cheeks. She sighed and turned on her back as she stared up at the sky. A day and a half more and they would arrive at the gates of Suna. She couldn't help but hope to see Sasuke there, but somehow, she felt it in her bones that she wouldn't be there. There was a strange feeling in her stomach, as if something was coming, but she just dismissed it as nerves from her mission.

–––

They were greeted by medical staff in Suna. A bearded man that Sakura didn't catch the name of showed them to an inn and left them with directions to the hospital. "Rest up a bit, I'm sure you're quite exhausted from the trip. We'll meet at the hospital in two hours," he bowed and left their room.

"Two hours? What are we? Toddlers? What ninja needs two hours of naptime after a few simple days of traveling?" Ino raged.

"Ino," Sakura sighed. "They just want to be nice. Most medical ninja don't have the same kind of stamina that those who are at the front lines usually have," she reminded her.

"I guess that's true," Ino pondered. "Well, I'm gonna take advantage of the time and wash all the sand out of my hair. I suggest you do the same after I've finished. Your hair is a mess," she said kindly as she disappeared into the bathroom.

Sakura rolled her eyes and went over the documents and files they had brought for the meeting, making sure everything was in order. She scribbled some notes on her own pages, questions regarding the health care system of Suna, so she'd have a better grasp of what they would be needing as well as how things usually went down here.

She heard the water turn off and looked toward the bathroom door. Ino strolled out as naked as the day she was born, her hair wrapped in a towel. Sakura narrowed her eyes at her. "Seriously, Ino?"

"What? There were only two towels," she snapped as she rummaged through her bag. "I was gracious enough to leave you the other one."

"Thank you so much," Sakura said as she grabbed clothes from her bag and went to the bathroom door. "However will I ever repay you for such kindness?" She closed the door as she heard Ino snort.

–––

"I believe that's everyone," the bearded medic-nin from earlier closed the door to the conference room. "Haruno-san, Yamanaka-san," he bowed lightly. "The floor is yours."

The next two hours were spent discussing the model they've developed for the clinic in Konoha. Sakura explained the research behind it while Ino detailed how it had worked out so far in practice. She told the Suna medic staff about the progress of the children and the improvements they were planning on making in the near future in order to maximize the rate of successful recoveries.

"Now, I am well aware that our health care systems must differ a great deal," Sakura said. "I'm sure that some of our techniques will not work as well or the same way here, as they do back home. Please take home the files you have been handed and think about the ways in which the structure needs to be modified and optimized in order for it to work here."

"Thank you, Haruno-san," the bearded man said. "Now, does anyone have any questions?" They spent the next while discussing some options and methods that should be considered in adapting Konoha's system.

After the last of the attendees left the conference room, the bearded man turned toward them. "I'm sure you are tired after traveling and the meeting, but Kazekaga-sama has asked for you."

"It's quite alright," Sakura said. "Let's go."

–––

"Kazekaga-sama, Temari-sama," the man bowed. "I have brought Haruno-san and Yamanaka-san." Gaara was sitting at a table, many papers in front of him and Temari sitting beside him.

"Thank you," Gaara nodded at the man and he left. Gaara turned toward the Konoha kunoichi. "Sakura, Ino, it's nice to see you again."

"Same here, Kazekage-sama," Sakura smiled.

"I've told you many times, Gaara is just fine."

"How have you guys been?" Sakura asked them as she took a seat at the table along with Ino.

"Very well," came Gaara's reply the same time as Temari said: "good."

Quite the conversationalists, aren't they? Sakura heard Ino's voice in her head. She kicked her ankles under the table. Get out of my head, Pig! Something's off about them, she thought, knowing full well Ino was still occupying her mind.

"Is everything alright?" Sakura asked out loud.

"Uchiha Sasuke has been spotted in the village, two days ago."

"What? Really? Is he still here?" Sakura perked up.

"We can't be sure. He was seen talking to a group of terrorists, he killed their leader and escaped before ANBU could capture or question him," Gaara briefed them. "I accompanied the ANBU squad, as the terrorist group was formed because of my election to be Kazekage, I felt responsible," Sakura gulped. She didn't like where this story was going. If what Gaara was saying was true… "The group had been under ANBU surveillance for a while now, and two days ago, a man in a dark cloak and dark hair wandered into their base. At first, I thought the resemblance to Uchiha was just a coincidence, but I went with the rest of the ANBU squad anyway.

"Once there, I saw that it was Uchiha Sasuke indeed, it wasn't just some uncanny resemblance. He talked to the leader of the terrorist group and demanded that they become their subordinates."

"Subordinates?" Ino mumbled under her breath, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Sasuke said he would help them with their own acts of terrorism if they became his subordinates and helped him destroy Konoha. Said he thought that he could forgive the village for a moment but realized that it would never change unless it was built up from nothing again."

Sakura wanted to cry out that that couldn't be true. No voice left her mouth though.

"The group rejected his offer, so Sasuke killed the leader, saying that he couldn't allow them live now that they knew about his plans. I pursued him for a while but his chakra signature disappeared all of a sudden and I lost his trail. It's been two days since, no new spottings of him in the village or nearby."

Sakura couldn't believe her ears. She knew it couldn't be him, no. Her thoughts were as wild and vicious as the nightly sandstorms in the desert.

Finally, Ino broke the tense silence with a disbelieving laugh. "That cannot be true. I mean, it's a nice story but…"

"Are you sure it was Sasuke-kun?" Sakura found her voice finally.

"Yeah, it was probably some sort of Henge no Jutsu," Ino pointed out. "There must be a lot of people Sasuke has pissed off over the years," she turned to Sakura. "No offense," and looked back at Gaara and Temari. "It's probably one of them that tries to fuck with him. Oops, please pardon my language, Kazekage-sama," she said, not sounding apologetic at all.

"A Henge no Jutsu would not explain how this individual had the same exact chakra signature as Sasuke," Gaara pointed out.

Suddenly, Temari joined the discussion. "I'm pretty sure I've heard from Shikamaru that there is at least one Konoha ANBU who can mimic chakra signatures."

Sakura thought for a second. "Yes, I believe there is an ANBU like that."

"So, maybe Sasuke pissed them off?" Temari suggested.

"Not that I know of," Sakura said. "As far as I know, he has no connection to our ANBU."

"Then there is a very real possibility that Gaara indeed saw Sasuke," Temari pointed out. Ino looked at her with wide eyes and a slackened jaw. Temari shrugged, cool as ever. "I'm just saying."

"White Zetsu had the ability to mimic chakra signatures," Sakura spoke up after raking her brain for any kind of other explanation. "Or… or maybe Shouten no Jutsu?" She suggested.

"Considering Kaguya has been defeated, there's no reason for the Zetsu army to still exist. And as far as I know, Pain was the only one who was capable of performing that jutsu, and he's gone. Although, that would be an explanation why that person was identical to Sasuke both in appearance and chakra signature."

Sakura sighed. This just did not make sense. The abrupt action of this person did not reflect Sasuke's calculating and level-headed behavior.

"I just don't get it," Sakura said, frustrated. "He just protected the village from a meteorite a few months ago, to change so drastically after all his progress makes no sense whatsoever."

"We don't think it was him either," Temari said. "He's not so sloppy to be caught in the act so easily."

"Can you contact him?" Gaara looked at Sakura.

"There are contact spots all over the place, but…"

"But we don't know when he would even see it," Ino finished.

"I'm sorry to say this," Gaara said. "But I think you should return to Konoha to inform the Hokage and ask for his own assessment. I knew you were going to stay to see the development of the clinic through but I believe your own village needs you more than ours. I hope the matter is settles soon and you can join us for a more leisurely stay."

Sakura nodded. As much as she wanted to see the clinic coming to life, as well as study Suna's health care system, and consult with a poison specialist… Clearing Sasuke's name and protecting him would always come first.

She nodded. "Of course."

"I'll send a message to Kakashi by falcon, so he's aware of your arrival," Gaara said and stood up. Sakura and Ino stood as well and walked to the door. "Ladies," Gaara lower his head. "I hope to see you soon under better circumstances," he smiled ruefully.

"Take care, Gaara," Sakura smiled back. "Bye, Temari!"

–––

Sakura and Ino headed straight to the Hokage's office after walking through the gates of the village. Sakura nearly burst the door off its hinges with the force she's walked into the room.

"Please don't break my door, Sakura," Kakashi said. "Again."

"Kakashi-sensei, there's no time for jokes right now," Sakura said, slightly breathless from the long journey and rushing to the Hokage Tower.

"I suppose you're back early because of the Sasuke-situation."

Sakura and Ino relayed their discussion with the Kazekage and Temari to Kakashi. He was silent for a minute, considering the information.

"Stand by for now," he said eventually.

Sakura looked at him in shock. "Stand by?" Ino spoke up, voice laced with frustration. "There's a Sasuke impersonator going around trashing his name and we're just gonna lean back in our cushy chairs and let it unfold?"

"What other options do we have?" Kakashi retorted. "Shall we go around interviewing anyone we come across if they've seen Sasuke and if he seemed suspicious?"

"Well…" Ino started, but couldn't finish.

"For now, our safest bet is to lay low and wait. While we know that Sasuke wouldn't do this, if word got around, there would be distrust and unease spreading around. We can't let that happen. Understood?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the girls.

"Hai," they said in unision.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura started slowly. "I know there's an ANBU who can mimic chakra… do you think they might be connected somehow?"

Kakashi shook his head. "He's away on a long-term mission, far away from Suna. It couldn't have been him."

Sakura sighed in defeat. Sasuke hadn't sent word to her in weeks and there was no way of knowing where he was or where he was going. Kakashi gave him full independence to go wherever he wanted without having to report everything or any regular check-in schedule. Launching an actual investigation would mean that word would spread about the incident, which they most definitely did not want.

"Oh," Kakashi spoke up again. "And I'm afraid I have some more bad news. There was a meeting about next year's budget. The clinic will be getting less money, and a portion of it will be going to ANBU instead. I'm sorry, I tried to sway them… Apparently, we need to strengthen our ANBU."

"Why?" Ino asked. "There's never been less threat of a war. This is literally the most peaceful time the shinobi world has ever seen," she pointed out.

"The daimyo was attacked on his way here and there have been some suspicious things happening around the village lately. I'm sorry, I wish I could tell you more and when the time comes I will. But for now, trust me."

Sakura nodded at Kakashi and started toward the exit. Ino looked like she wanted to argue with the Hokage some more, but seeing her friend's pale and exhausted face made her change her mind.

"Are you okay?" Ino asked as they walked out the building.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sakura forced a smile to her lips. "I'll see you later, Pig."

–––

Sakura went straight to her bathroom to take a much-needed shower. She looked into the mirror and startled. Her face did look pale, despite the time spent in the desert sun the past couple of days. The circles under her eyes resembled the color of the seal on her forehead.

She touched two fingers to her forehead. Maybe next time… and thank you. She wondered when the next time would come. She prayed Sasuke was okay. The incident in Suna unsettled her, she wanted to go out there and find him and make sure he was okay. If only she'd gotten a letter for him, anything to know he was okay.

She stepped under the spray of water and let it wash away the sand in her hair and tears on her face. When are you coming home, Sasuke-kun?