"What the hell is she thinking?" I whispered to myself. "Has she gone insane? Is she right in the head?"

The Hokage didn't have any discussion or debate about my so-called 'banishment' with me. There was no room for it, she whisked me away before I could object or even state my opinion. The tone in her voice screamed that she was serious, that she was not joking and that it was most definitely not a laughing matter.

So many questions danced in my head. So many hurtful and cruel words I want to scream at the Hokage, I want to make sure to inform her of the torment she is causing me. My teacher doesn't seem aware or realize that the bond between us has been severed. I think back on all the times she's kicked the living shit out of me and how I took it for granted. She took so much time out of her day to coach me, to mentor me personally. Memories of us drinking and playing beer pong, memorizing a new scroll, buried in papers in the Hokage's office, and memories of us simply chatting causes my eyes to burn.

How can she be so willingly to throw me out without showing at least a little remorse?

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, trying to find an agreeable spot on the bar stool. One head supports my head and the other taps the empty sake bottle. Not sober, but not quite drunk. Years of drinking with Tsunade had built my tolerance up to legendary.

I sigh. That's one thing she taught me; to drink until I pass out. I pull out my wallet to pay the bartender and get ready to leave.

My thoughts drift back to Ryu Tanaka, the man who I decided to save, but soon ended up dead anyway. It was impressive, healing a man on the brink of death. If anything, she should be praising me.

I swiveled out of my chair to leave when I slammed into someone's shoulder. The minor collision caused me to stumble back and bump into the stool.

"Watch were your going!" A slurred voice in front of me said. I look up to see a rather large man with a beer belly peeking out from under his navy t-shirt. I couldn't help but notice that his eyes roamed past my face and down my body shamelessly.

I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a pitied look. "Excuse me, but I think you should go home."

If he heard me he didn't respond.

Counting to ten I decide he's not worth my time and I begin to head for the exit when I felt a hand on my shoulder. The bozo's cracked and dirty nails gripped my shoulder threateningly. His hairy and greasy hand pulled back so I'd be facing him again. He let his arm fall to his side as he continued to glare at me.

Confused and a little embarrassed, my eyes wandered past the drunken fool to the civilians in the bar. All of their attention was on us; hoping for some action. My eyes hardened and the pitied look turned into a impatient stare. If this idiot continues to manhandle me like that, there will be.

"Where do you think you're going?" the drunk slurred. "I'm not done with you yet." He was about to reach out and touch me again when a hand shot out and snatch it before I could react.

I gazed up to find Naruto's hands prisoning the drunk's hairy arm, he held with no effort as the drunk tried to break free. My friend's expression was furious, his normal crystal blue eyes were dark and cold as he looked up at the drunk.

"Get away from her," Naruto said quietly.

I watched on in complete awe as the drunken man tried to wrench his hand away, but was not strong enough until Naruto eased his grip on him. He tumbled and tripped a bit once he was free of Naruto. "Whatever. If I see you again - I'll kill you," the drunken man's warning went unheeded.

Well, I won't be here tomorrow. Or the next day. Or ever again. Good news for him, I guess.

"Hey, thanks." I turned my attention to Naruto.

"Why didn't you come to get me?" He ignored me and regarded me with suspicion.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought we were going to get Ichiraku, Sakura. Instead you come to a bar?"

Oh. I swore inwardly and I smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, Naruto. It completely sli-"

"Something bad happened with you and Tsunade," He continued to hold my eyes. Naruto smiled crookedly and scratched the back of his head. "Sakura, you know you can tell me anything."

What is he trying to do? Make me feel guilty?

"I'm not sure it's a good idea to tell you," I admitted.

"But you'll tell me anyway?" His blue orbs lightened in hope.

Again, I glanced behind the Ninja in front of me to see the civilians in the bar were still casting hidden looks at us. Naruto surprisingly caught my meaning and lead me out to somewhere private.

A smile tugged at my lips as I felt Naruto's hand slip into mine. I'd never admit it, but his hand in mine feels like two pieces to a puzzle.

My companion's mood seemed to brighten, causing him to swing our linked hands lightly back and forth. We walked along the pebble path in compatible silence as I let Naruto guide me. He makes an effort to go in unpredictable and random directions. I don't question him, though, I'm enjoying and savoring his presence.

Naruto stops abruptly and turns to face me. I look around and notice we're on the bridge our old team used to meet up at.

I decided to make myself comfortable and leaned against the bridge's rail. Naruto stood in front of me and crossed his arms. For a moment we just stood there, listening to the sound of water gently crashing under the bridge.

"Naruto, what would you do if I was gone?" I tried asking seriously, but my voice wobbled slightly.

Naruto looked at me in distress, "Are you going somewhere, Sakura?"

The Ninja in front of me looks like he's waited years to hear what I had to say. He resembles a kicked and abandoned puppy. The thought didn't help and my vision started to get blurry.

"Naruto..." Was all I could pronounce before my lip started to quiver. I covered my mouth with the palm of my hand to hide my sorrow.

Naruto, being Naruto, looked lost. He didn't know what to do. The sight made me crack a tiny smile.

He immediately caught my look of amusement and he seemed to regain his composure. Instead of standing still like the idiot he was, Naruto's arms wrapped around the back of my head and the weight of his chin rested in my hair.

If this happened several years ago - I'd punch him in the gut and walk away embarrassed. But, since this is not the case, I let him act as my backbone. I clutch his orange jacket and buried my face into his warm chest. I felt his hand caress my hair and bring me closer. I cried until I soaked his uniform.

After I was done I pulled away, sniffing and wiping my wet cheeks.

I feel a lot better. A much better way to vent than getting drunk.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"Sakura?" Naruto rested a hand on my shoulder for support.

"Naruto," I started. I took a moment to steady my breathing. "I betrayed Konoha and Tsunade is banning me from the village."

I didn't know what kind of reaction I was expecting, but it was not this one.

Naruto's frown turned upside down as he laughed at my confession. "Sakura? Betraying Konoha?" He continued to laugh until he noticed my grim face didn't budge an inch. "You're serious?"

I cried my eyes out and he thought I was kidding? What an idiot.

So, I told him everything. From were I found out we had won the war to were I found out I was banished.

I casted a curious glance at my friend. He had been listening and not asked a single question while I spoke. "Naruto?" When he didn't answer I reached out to grab his hand. He snapped out of is trance and looked down at me in confusion.

"There's something wrong," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"You mentioned Tsunade didn't even seemed fazed."

I nodded.

He shook his head, "I have to talk to that old hag. This doesn't make any sense. With all the things going on right now, it'd be a stupid move for us to kick out a Medical Ninja."

My eyes widened in surprise. He was really thinking this through. "Naruto, do you think what I did was right?"

He instantly grinned and gave me a thumbs up, "Sakura, what you did was amazing! You know, it takes a lot of guts to do what you believe is right."

I watched him wave good-bye and start to walk in the direction of the Hokage Tower. I raised an eyebrow at Naruto's self-mumbling.

Before he was out of earshot I heard him mutter, "I can't lose another teammate."

The stars twinkled like a shiny diamonds. I wonder if Shikamaru gazes up into the night sky like he does during the day.

I certainly find the stars much more interesting than clouds.

In one hand I clutch the pack of items that will travel with me when I leave Konoha. I made sure to pack enough money, clothes, tooth brushes, and food to last me weeks if not months. In the other hand I grasp Team 7's picture. If I leave it here, I won't have anything to remember Naruto or Kakashi-Sensei by. So I stuffed the picture into my backpack and zipped it closed.

This all still hasn't sunken in yet. It feels like a nightmare.

Against my will, I turn away from the window and exited my small apartment while closing the door behind me. Fumbling with the lock, I hear the bolt slide into place and I shove the key back into my pouch.

I heave a heavy sigh. Where the hell am I going to go? Should I stay in Fire Country? Or should I move into another country?

As I walk towards the gate, my thoughts drift to my ex-teammate. When he was leaving, did he get the same uneasy feeling I have now? He must not have. We're in slightly different shoes here. He had the choice to stay, I don't.

"Sakura!"

I look over my shoulder to see Naruto. He sprints up to me and places his hands on his knees in exhaustion. The Ninja pants heavily and takes a moment to catch his breath.

"Naruto?"

"Sakura, Tsunade," he wheezes, "doesn't want you to leave."

I felt my body go stiff at his announcement, "What are you talking about?"

He stands up straight and grabs my hand, "Tsunade doesn't want you to leave. We argued, but she admitted that she was forced to sentence you to exile." He squeezes my hand tightly, "I guess I was lucky she was drunk."

I should be jumping for joy and smiling with cheer, but Naruto's posture screams that there is something more. "I still have to leave, don't I?"

"She confessed that the Elders were keeping an eye on the Konoha Infirmary tent after the war. They saw you leave and someone followed after you. Well, you know the rest," He pulled my hand so I fell against him, "They think you're a traitor."

Somehow, my body managed to relax in Naruto's embrace and I let myself go limp in his arms. "Thank you," I said.

I heard him chuckle, "Although, one of the Elders caught Tsunade tattle-tailing on them so they're kinda after me."

"Haruno, your time is up." I pull away from Naruto to see an old lady with a neat bun in her grey hair. I recognized her from my meetings I attended with the Hokage. "Get out of this village immediately, you traitor," she spat.

Naruto's grip on me only tightened, "Sakura, wait for me."

I gazed up at him and managed to smile, "I'll be alright, I know that you'll never give up on me." Before he could respond I pecked him on the lips. "Thank you, for everything Naruto."

He stared down at me in shock, but it quickly turned into anger. Naruto turned his attention to the Elder, "You're going to regret this. Let her stay, she isn't a Sound Ninja spy!"

The older lady ignored him and approached me. She shook her arm and a kunai slid down and into her hand. The old lady gave me a look. I sighed as I bent over so she could create a slash across my forehead protector. Once I heard the metal friction, I knew that there was no escaping my fate.

I gave Naruto one last glance and shuffled out of Konoha. When my back was to the Konoha Gates, I had the sudden urge to sprint and to never look back. But I didn't. And I knew I should of.

Naruto was gone and so was the Elder.

I was sad, but that didn't surprise me. What surprised me was Kakashi-Sensei was leaning against the gates nonchalantly while reading his orange book.

I jumped when he snapped the novel shut. Without sparing me a glance he walked up to me. When he was mere feet away his eye finally met mine.

"You'll be coming back home soon, Sakura," he said soothingly. If you hadn't spent long amounts of time around the Copy Ninja long like I have, you wouldn't of noticed the determination and reassurance his tone secretly held.

I believed him. I don't want to give up the thought of leaving Konoha forever.

I gave him a curt nod before I mustered up enough courage to hug the Copy Ninja. He patted my head awkwardly, "I'll miss you Kakashi-Sensei, I'll be waiting."