"Sakura-chan?...Sakura-chan!" A lively voice yelled startling Sakura and causing her to sit up promptly. The stack of files sitting in her lap slid to the floor and she blinked in confusion until her eyes focused.

"Lee-san. What are you doing here?" Sakura asked dimly gathering the files from the floor and placing them neatly back into her lap.

"Tenten wanted to come and congratulate Shikamaru and Temari on their new addition to the family. Oh the beauty of youth." Lee spoke light heartedly while leaning against the door frame and Sakura stared in shock. "But Sakura-chan how are you? Nobody has seen you for quite some time. You should stop working so hard." Lee scolded slightly while giving a little chuckle.

"I'm."

"Lee! There you are. We need to meet Guy-sensei soon!." Sakura could hear Tenten's chastising voice from the hallway and Lee gave a little nod.

"Talk to you later Sakura-chan." He gave a small wave and quickly disappeared into the hallway where Sakura could hear the echo of a little squabble between the two. She leaned back into her chair sighing as she realized she had missed so much recently. She looked at the clock seeing that it was all ready nine am and that she would have to meet with Tsunade soon. She rose from her chair placing the files onto the desk and left to the locker room where she showered and put on a clean pair of clothes. The time had passed faster than she expected and if she didn't hurry she would be late for her meeting. She arrived at Tsunade's door slightly out of breath and paused taking in a gush of air before knocking.

"Enter." Tsunade's voice called out and Sakura opened the door to see her sitting behind the desk. "Well what did you want to say to me?" Tsunade asked leaning back into the chair and crossing her arms against her chest.

"I want to leave the village." Sakura stated simply keeping her gaze on her master. Tsunade's face remained emotionless and Sakura's heart began to pound harder.

"To seek revenge." Sakura merely nodded her head in response. "No."

"Master!" Sakura called out desperately, but Tsunade held up her hand indicating for Sakura to be silent.

"Kakashi reported your training session to me. He tells me you lack the skills to even be apart of A.N.B.U." Tsunade professed and Sakura's jaw clenched in anger.

"I need to do this." Sakura muttered through gritted teeth her eyes never leaving Tsunade's.

"And you will fail. I can not allow a ninja to die needlessly."

"Ninja's lives are wasted all the time."

"Sakura." Tsunade reprimanded harshly and gave her a warning glance that her patience was wearing thin. Sakura stood unwavering from her spot, her mouth dry with doubt but she wasn't about to give up yet.

"Master let me do this. I'm not asking you as a ninja of Konoha, but as your student. I need to do this." Sakura pleaded and Tsunade closed her eyes sighing. "You know what it's like to lose people you love." The seconds ticked past while she remained rooted to the floor hoping for a chance.

"You have one year." Tsunade announced shaking her head in disbelief that she was allowing this. "If you still have not succeeded than you must return to the village and move on with your life. You may leave when your rotation is finished at the hospital for this week" Tsunade concluded opening her eyes to gaze at Sakura.

"Thank you." Sakura bowed her head in respect and turned to leave.

"You will need to train if you expect to gain your revenge."

"I know. I have someone in mind all ready." Sakura emitted and opened the door only to be surprised by Shizune waiting outside. She gave a small nod to her before leaving and Shizune entered the office closing the door quickly behind her.

"You are letting her leave?" Shizune questioned cautiously.

"I am. You know what to do." Shizune nodded her head before instantly disappearing from the office.