"I see." Leaning back in her Hokage's seat, arms folded Tsunade closed her eyes in sorrow. She of all people should have known better. Hearing the report of Itsuke's death had been a bitter pill to swallow, she had wanted better for her apprentice and this was just…

If that weren't bad enough, the possibility had been open that a stone shinobi had been responsible for leaking the team's route details.

An all too familiar heavy feeling settled on her massive chest, Sakura hadn't even been given the chance to say goodbye. Now leaning forward, her hands clasped before her, she determinedly opened her eyes, as she resolved herself. Someone would have to tell her.

"Where is Sakura now?" She would do it herself.

"Ma'am I left her and the other girls shopping at the market, they were out buying the preparations for the wedding." Shizune reported to her master.

"Very well then, I'll go talk to her." With that said Tsunade rose from her desk and made her way to the market. She hadn't much luck there, Sakura and the others were nowhere to be seen. After asking about, she had been told they'd headed in the general direction of Sakura's apartment.

Figuring they must have retired there after their day of shopping, she followed in pursuit.

She was proven right upon entering the hall that led to her student's unit, as the sounds of laughter could be heard coming from her apartment. The thought crossed her mind for probably longer than it should, that she should allow Sakura to enjoy the rest of the day and perhaps tomorrow deliver the news. However, she erased that line of thought from her mind. Sakura was no longer a child that needed to be shielded from the world they lived in, she was a ninja.

Tsunade gave a firm knock on the door, just once and waited for someone to answer.

"Lady Tsunade?"

"Sakura, may I come in; I need to speak with you."

"Of course, milady." Sakura said opening the door in silent invitation for her teacher.

As she entered the small apartment, she was met with the sight of the other girls and a room filled with paper lanterns, and fabrics. Clenching her fist to brace herself, she turned to her student.

"Sakura, something's happened."

Tsunade watched on as her student's expression changed from confusion to disbelief and finally anguish, frozen in place.

The room was still, the only sounds were those of villagers as they passed by, oblivious to the tragedy playing out just above them. the Yamanaka was the first to recover, moving to her friends' side, the other girls a few seconds behind. Sakura seemed to be in a trance, unable to hear or acknowledge the words of comfort and reassurance being offered to her.

"Sakura, where are you going?" Tsunade called after her.

Without an answer, she somehow managed to slip on her sandals before heading through the door.

…

"Mwore..." slouching forward, Sakura used what little coordination she had left to push her glass towards the server.

"I think you've had enough." The server begun to protest, not all that concerned by the dirty look the woman before him managed to muster through her drunken state at him.

"I can't in good conscience…" he wasn't able to finish as she suddenly jerked to life, grabbing hold of his shirt.

"mm.. I..said…mwore."

"No, you've been here for two weeks now, consider yourself cut off."

"If you really want to get your mind of whatever's bothering you, why don't you come home with me." Both heads turned to see a lone man at the end of the counter, moving closer to Sakura with what he assumed to be a 'smooth' pick up line.

"Take one step closer- "*hiccup* "-I'll show you something alright." She threatened the man darkly, her eyes narrowing dangerously, *hiccup* before then being rendered incapacitated by the potent alcohol working its way through her system.

"Not so tough are you now." Not waiting even a second more, he made his way over to where she was seated.

"Hey! what do you think you're doing?" The server asked in almost outrage.

"Taking her home of course."

"Not in my shop you don't!"

Ignoring the server's obvious disapproval, he reached for the pink haired girl before him, only to be stopped by someone just an inch away from her. Annoyed that the server would really try so hard to stop him from his fun, he was just about to lay him out, when a dangerous chill crept up through his spine, turning to face whoever was behind him, his bowels seemed almost ready to fail him.

…

With an almost inaudible groan, Sakura tried to make sense of the world around her, but found any attempts to do so futile, her eyes heavy, refused to cooperate, relegating her to use her other senses. The crisp night air, although it brought with it an unwanted chill, caressed her face. She noted however, there was a warmth that seemed to be inviting her from somewhere close at hand. Subconsciously she tried to move and press her body closer to its irresistible lure.

As she inhaled deeply, her nostrils were filled with a deep earthy scent that brought forth feelings of comfort and familiarity. Her body felt as though it were in motion, as if literally being carried away. Wait what?

Tired and parched she forcefully willed her eyes open, though only barely.

Kakashi?

She was confused, but drained and far too content to begin to contemplate, how she had ended up being carried off somewhere by her former lover. Sinking herself deeper into the warmth he provided, she allowed herself to be lulled back to sleep.

…

He had failed her again, by the time they had arrived it had been too late. Gazing down at the all too familiar image of her in his arms, his heart couldn't help but sink with the weight of knowing there was nothing he could do to help her, not in any way that truly mattered anyway.

Arriving at her apartment, it took him little effort to avoid the mess of decorations that still cluttered the tiny living space, before entering her bedroom. Gently, he placed her on the bed before moving to remove her shoes and cover her with her sheets. It was in that moment he allowed himself to take her in and study her carefully. He hadn't been so close or even seen her in the last two months. She had changed, her face seemed to have harden some, but she was still Sakura.

Leaning in towards her, resting his hand lightly on her head, he made a vow to her then and there, he would hunt them all down like the snakes they were, and he wouldn't stop until he had cut off every one of their heads.

Straightening his back, he allowed himself to watch her for a few more moments, before donning his mask and making his retreat through her window.

He would not fail.

….

It was just about sometime before dawn that she was finally shaken awake, her hand immediately going to try to quell her beating heart. Dazed and anxious she tried to figure out where she was. It took her perhaps longer than it should to recognize she was in her own room, but how? With her pounding head filled with so much haze and the groggy state her body was in as it demanded anything to quench its thirst, it made it nearly impossible for her to think straight.

The cool morning air flowing in from the window, gave her dulled senses much needed reprieve.

The window.

So that's how she had gotten there.

He still couldn't even remember to lock the damn thing behind him. Her free hand now clinging to her sheets, she slowly begun curling into herself, as memories of the night before traitorously tried to claw their way to the fore of her mind.