AN: Here's the next Chapter. Enjoy!

The three men stared at Sakura, a look of disbelief present on their faces. They all glanced at each other, thinking the same thing, 'we must have heard wrong'.

"Sakura?" Naruto said unsure. "What are you talking about?"

"I am going home" She answered plainly.

"But…."

"Your on a mission Sakura, you can't just abandon it" Kakashi intervened.

Sakura knew that Kakashi would use this being a mission against her and she prepared for that. "I have already received permission from Tsunade"

'That woman' 'Kakashi cursed to himself. She really was planning to make whole ordeal a troublesome one. "So may I ask what brought this on?" Kakashi eyed her; he could hardly miss her quick glance at Sasuke.

"I have been away far too long." She began "I must return and continue with my work" By work of course she meant the training of medic-nin, something that had been taken care of for her, but in this case it was her only good excuse.

"That's absurd!" Naruto blurted.

"Naruto" Kakashi said attempting to calm him before he did something he'd regret, failing miserably. "Damn it Sakura, we are attempting her you know. The more we try the more you run away."

"Naruto" Sasuke finally spoke.

"What!" He turned looking at the Uchiha.

"Just let her go" he stated remaining emotionless. Sakura avoided looking him, though she was taken back by the comment.

"How can you….." He held his tongue when Sasuke glared at him, he'd seen that look before; pain hidden behind an emotionless exterior.

"If that's what you want" Kakashi sighed "then I guess there is nothing more to say."

The room fell silent, Naruto had taken his seat again, not happy in the least, but still biting his tongue. Sakura stood there for moment longer, not one of them was planning on her stopping her now, she was sure of it. She wasn't quite sure why but she was shocked they weren't putting any fight into it, it pained her. "I will be on my way" she said heading for the door, her hand hesitated from turning the knob, but a quick reminder of why she was leaving began to stir in her mind. "Take care of yourselves" she said trying to cover the slight shakiness of her voice, fighting the urge to take one last glance over her shoulder she hurried out the door.

A good fifteen minutes passed, no one had said anything or even moved from there place at the table. Really what could they have done, fought with her over it, sure but they knew all to well it wouldn't have done them any good. Sakura Haruno was stubborn women and none them wanted to be on the receiving end of her wrath.

Sasuke was the first to show sign of movement, harshly pushing his chair back and retreating to his room. Naruto soon after disappeared into the living room, leaving Kakashi sitting at the table.

Things were defiantly going to get harder from here on out. Determined to achieve his goal on this mission he held strong to the thought if at least rekindling the friendship between Naruto and Sasuke. He gave a half grin shaking his head, he never took notice really before, but Sakura seemed to be the glue keeping this puzzle known as team seven together.

In some twist of fate, three weeks later they were called back to village. Sasuke and Naruto never questioned the reasoning and were glad to going home. Kakashi on the other hand knew that with Sakura departing there was no use in being there any longer.

Reaching the village gates their spirits lifted, it was good to home finally. After quick good-byes and few exchanged words they parted ways. Kakashi rubbed his temples preparing himself for the verbal beating he was going to get from the Hokage, at least hoping it was only verbal.

Slowing those last few feet towards the door of the Hokage, Kakashi debated with himself whether he should have picked up a bottle of sake first. The door however flung open almost knocking him to his feet.

"Oh……Sorry Kakashi" Shizune said, she seemed to be in a quite a hurry. "Lady Tsunade his waiting for you" She quickly retreated down the hallway.

He peeked around the door, seeing Tsunade sitting at her desk lazily. Apparently her mood wasn't to foul. He cleared his throat as he walked in.

"Hatake" Tsunade grinned. "Glad to see you back."

"Good to be back" He said mildly confused.

"I hope everything went well." She began. "I also hope for collection of reports, I'm sure it's pretty thick."

He retrieved the file from his bag, last paper written and signed. Handing it over still cautious of what was coming next. She took graciously, flipping through it quickly.

"Sorry I had to call you back so suddenly, but the work load seems to piling up." She placed the file down. "I hope you don't mind"

"No it's quite alright" He said seeming to relax a bit.

"Good" She said grabbing a small flask from her desk drawer. "We'll be able to get a few more things done around here now that you four have returned" She stated taking a swig.

Kakashi's bodies tensed for a moment. "I don't understand? Sakura did not arrive with us." He said as if it was a well known fact.

"Oh" Tsunade said with a raised brow.

"She returned three weeks ago" he said, only now did the truth hit him. "With…you're….permission" He muttered, more to himself.

Tsunade sprang to her feet slamming her hands on her desk "SHE DID WHAT?!"

AN: Well, I did another cliffhanger. (Sigh I just can't help myself) But please Review anyhow! :) Luv Ya