Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 6: Detached

"Sakura, you're doing exceptionally well."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Sakura smiled as a light dusting of pink appeared on her cheeks.

"I admit, I was concerned in the beginning, but you're really beginning to come along."

Sakura's shoulders rose as her grin widened. It was rare for Tsunade to give such high praise. She didn't shy away from constructive criticism, but to have only good to say… Sakura's chest swelled with pride. She'd been working very hard lately. What else was there for her to do? She'd finally realized that she couldn't waste any more time depressed about Sasuke. She now knew that he would never write back. She could spend her time more productively. Not that she would forget about him—not that she could forget about him—but training would be of the most use when the time came to rescue him. And anyway, she still wrote to him. Even if he never replied, at least she knew that he was getting her letters.

"I do believe that you'll become even stronger than me one day."

"Really?"

Tsunade winked. "Really."

Sakura giggled.

"That's enough for today, go get some rest."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Sakura bowed and hurried from the Hokage office. As she was walking down the hall, hands clasped behind her back and wide smile on her face, she came across Kakashi. He was reading the details of his newest mission. He seemed a little distressed.

"Hi, Kakashi-sensei."

"Oh hi, Sakura." He said absently.

"Is everything ok?"

"Well…" He looked at her and his eye creased as he smiled. "Yes actually. You see, I have this mission that requires me to take a medical ninja with me. I wasn't sure who to take, but now that you've come along…"

Sakura's eyebrows met.

"Of course, Lady Tsunade would have to approve it." He glanced at her. "What I'm trying to say is: would you like to join me for a mission?"

Sakura smiled. "I'd actually really enjoy that… but…"

"But Sasuke," Kakashi offered.

She looked away gloomily. "I have to train, I have to become stronger."

Kakashi sighed. "I understand how you feel, Sakura."

She looked up at him. "He doesn't realize—"

"Yes… he does realize. You keep forgetting that he chose this path; he chose to detach himself from his friends. Don't you make the same mistake, Sakura."

"I-I'm not,"

"When was the last time you hung out with Ino? Or trained with someone other than Lady Tsunade?"

Sakura glared at her feet and said nothing.

"I know you want to save him, we all do, but don't forget who you are in the process. Don't neglect the ties you still have in an attempt to restore a severed one."

"Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked in shock.

He looked at her, stony resolve in his eye. "You will be joining me on this mission, I simply wanted to ask. I had hoped you would have chosen to on your own."

He showed her the mission details and saw that her name was scrawled below Kakashi's name and above Shikamaru and Tenten's. Sakura looked up at him and he suddenly smiled as his voice took on his usual aloofness.

"Don't look so gloomy."

She rolled her eyes, and couldn't help but smile.

Sasuke panted as he clutched his knees.

"You're worthless. Can't you do better?" Orochimaru taunted.

Sasuke's eyes burned red as his sharingan blazed. He roared in hatred as he charged at his master with the chidori blade. Orochimaru dodged him with the speed and grace of a serpent, making Sasuke stumble. It was in the blink of an eye that a fist slammed into his back and he went flying to the ground. They'd been at it for hours, but no matter how much hatred boiled beneath Sasuke's skin, he couldn't win. His body was broken and exhausted and his pride hurt. At the moment, he couldn't even force himself to get up and continue to fight. He couldn't rise from these ashes. Orochimaru walked over with a steady clack-clack of his sandals. He looked down on the boy and scoffed at him.

"It's really too bad, Sasuke. I thought you wanted to kill Itachi Uchiha."

Sasuke glared at him, his sharingan still active.

"At this rate, you'll never be strong enough." Orochimaru smiled menacingly. "He was right, you don't have enough hate."

Orochimaru turned to leave, unconcerned for his student. Sasuke pounced from the ground with a growl and attacked while his master's back was turned. Orochimaru's head whipped around, a snake protruding from his mouth and a sword from its mouth, stopping Sasuke in his tracks as the blade pierced through his left shoulder. He gasped and then gritted his teeth. He plunged a kunai into his master's back. The sword retracted, and then the snake, but Orochimaru began to laugh.

"Better. But still not good enough!"

He continued to fight until Sasuke was a heap of pitiful moaning. And he walked away laughing.

It had been a long while before Sasuke had gained enough strength and determination to crawl from the training grounds to his room. The hawk was already waiting. Tonight, he wouldn't even bother to read the letter from Sakura… he was too tired and too angry with himself. When would she leave him alone? Though he didn't like to admit it, her patronizing words had gotten into his skin and squirmed beneath surface. She wasn't trying to be so harsh; in fact, her words were intended to comfort him. Perhaps that was what made them sound so mocking to Sasuke. He fell onto his bed, and without even meditating first, he fell into a much needed sleep.

A/N Interesting stuff is in store for the next chapter. Are you ready to see what kind of shinanigans Sakura gets into while out on her mission? Anybody have any guesses as to what's going to happen, or what you think should happen? Talk to me, I love to hear your opinions. R&R.