Disclaimer: I don't own any characters whatsoever...

People Change Too

Chapter 2: A New Offering

I walked through the barren halls of the Hokage Tower. It's 6:50. I still have ten minutes. When Tsunade-sama tells me to arrive at seven, then I arrive at seven. No questions asked. What I'm surprised about is that the almighty, sake-drinking, gambling Hokage is actually awake at seven. Or who knows, maybe she's asleep on her desk using a book as a pillow.

All I know is that the reason why I'm here must be important; otherwise Tsunade-sama wouldn't have sent Kakashi-sensei to tell me that she summoned me. Also it must be excruciatingly important for this little "conference" to be at seven in the morning!

I arrived at the waiting room outside the Hokage Office and found a seat and sat down. The room smelled of new furniture. As I sat quietly I observed my surroundings like a good ninja would do. The woman receptionist kept popping her gum and chewing it with her mouth open. Lovely. The floors are clad with large white square tiles and the walls are painted a pastel yellow. It's 6:57. I still have three minutes. I really shouldn't arrive early because last time I arrived before scheduled I got a ten-minute lecture about why appointments are made at a specific time and should always remain that way. I guess I'll just stay here for three more minutes.

As I stood up the chair squeaked. I got up from the seat because I saw a picture on the wall right next to the doors of the Hokage's Office. I got closer to the photograph and smiled. It was a picture of Tsunade-sama and me a year ago when I was fifteen. Tsunade-sama was on my left and she had her hand on my shoulder. She had a proud and delighted smile on her face. By her eyes I could tell it was a real smile, not just a smile for the camera. In the picture I had my hair up in a ponytail so it wouldn't get in the way for my first day as an intern. I have this exact same picture next to the Team 7 photograph on my nightstand at home.

I looked at my watch. 7:02. "Damn it!" I ran to the two doors entering the office and took a deep breath in then out, ready to make an apology, but I never got a chance to. "Sakura, please sit," said the calm voice of the powerful Hokage. I obliged and sat down. Looking to my right my eyes widened. I saw the one, the only Kakashi Hatake. Then my face reddened out of embarrassment as I remembered what happened last night. Was I here because Kakashi-sensei told Tsunade-sama about me talking to chairs? Do they want to put me in a mental institute!? Oh God. Why do I over-analyze every little thing in my life...

"Sakura, before I talk I need you to promise to leave all your questions and opinions to the end."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," I answered politely. I wonder what this is about... Tsunade-sama looks worried...

I sat twirling my shoulder length hair, waiting for her to continue. And then after a minute, which felt like an eternity, she did. "Sakura, we, as in Kakashi and me, want to talk to you about your future and medical career." I raised my eyebrows as she said this and I took a quick glance a Kakashi-sensei and he was staring at me. Tsunade took a deep breath and continued.

"You see, Sakura, I am good friends with the head medic in the Snow Country. I have been teaching you for a while and I believe that sometimes it is good to be taught by different teachers to learn different styles of jutsus from other countries." I just gave her a blank look with my eyebrows still up as she carried on.

"My friend, Hanako Yamada, has agreed to take my best medic-in-training to teach and allow them to study under her." The silence in this room was killing me when she stopped talking. My eyes darted back and forth from Tsunade-sama and Kakashi-sensei. Both of them keep staring at me. Then Tsunade continued...

"Sakura, I... well we... recommend you." All of a sudden I started choking on my own saliva and I was having a coughing fit. Kakashi-sensei handed me a glass of water, and while I drank and held the glass, my hand was shaking. After my coughing subsided she kept going.

"This once-in-a-life-time foreign training session lasts two years. Sakura, believe me when I say this would be very beneficial for you. After the two years you will return to Konoha and you and I can continue your training and everything will be the same. Who knows, maybe one day you'll be the head medic of this village!" She said the last part with a big smile on her face.

"Sakura, I want what's best for you. Having you as my apprentice was the wisest choice I have ever made. You have a true talent and as your mentor I feel it is my obligation to enforce it," Tsunade said. "I completely agree," cut in Kakashi-sensei. He never was one for words.

When everything was quiet for a while I realized that her speech was over, and she expected an answer. Well, let me think about this... maybe having a two year break from Konoha would be good for me mentally, physically, and emotionally... I don't really have anything I'd be leaving behind... and it's not like I won't be returning. This is simply an offering to help expand my medical career. I see no reason not to take it...

"Sakura, if you want you can tell me your answer tomorrow so you can sleep on it," Tsunade-sama said gently because I was being so quiet. But when she was saying that, I just decided what my answer would be.

"Yes!" I exclaimed with a big smile.

"You want to answer tomorrow?" Kakashi-sensei asked.

"No...what I meant was—"

"You want to take the job offering?!" Tsunade-sama asked excitedly.

"Yep," it was a simple answer, "so...when do I leave?" I asked curiously.

"Well, I guess whenever you feel you are ready, but preferably sometime during this week," the Hokage answered.

"Can I leave tomorrow?" Why bother waiting?

"Yes," Tsunade answered slowly, "if you wish... you can leave tomorrow." I think Tsunade-sama was a little upset that because her eyes saddened. I guess she wanted me to stay for my birthday that is tomorrow.

"Can I go early, maybe around six in the morning? That way I can travel more before it gets dark." I'm also just eager to get out of this place.

"Yes," answered Tsunade and Kakashi simultaneously. They looked at each other for a few seconds and then the Hokage glowered at the Copy-nin for answering for her.

"Then it's settled. I leave at six tomorrow morning." I got up from my chair, took the silver scroll signed by Tsunade-sama that will allow me in Snow's border, and then briskly walked out of the office.

I walked out of the building. I just kept going, not sure where my feet were taking me. I let them be the leader and I just couldn't stop. A swarm of emotions flowed through me: happiness, sadness, confusion of my own actions I just performed...

Team 7 bridge. That is where my persistent feet led me. I remembered all the times the four of us were together in this very spot. The memory of what just happened in the Hokage's Office made me giddy. I can't believe I'm leaving! I feel light-headed and dizzy. My whole world is spinning. Although I've never been drunk, I feel like I'm high... but in a good way. For no reason I can think of I started giggling and then I was laughing hysterically.

"I CAN'T BELIVE I, SAKURA HARUNO, AM GOING TO SNOW COUNTRY!" I yelled that so loud I wouldn't be surprise if people heard me from across town and thought that I've become some sort of maniac.

I think I'm slowing losing my sanity. I just keep laughing and laughing. Ow, now my side hurts. I lay down on the ground after my laughing spasm receded. But I still feel giddy. Maybe I am high, high on something. Actually I don't care if I act like a moron. This is my last day in Konoha! Wait. This is my last day in Konoha... what should I do for the rest of the day...?

Author's Note: Chapter 2 is finito, done, finished, fini and so on... well I'll be working on Chapter three soon so don't worry ? And please review!!!! Even if your review/comment is one word, I want to hear it!