Author's Note: It seems the universe doesn't want me to ever finish this DX Our internet went out about a week ago and up to this point we haven't yet gotten it fixed. As such, updates might be really sporadic until we get it fixed :/ I'm really sorry about that, but I'll make sure to update every time I get the chance :)
Thank you to everyone who left a review on my last update, it means that world to me that you still enjoy this story that I used to just make up chapter by chapter XD As always, I love you guys, and be sure to let me know what you think in a review :D I love to hear your ideas and suggestions, so those are always welcome as well ;3 And if there's anything you'd like to see in a future chapter, be sure to let me know! I always try to include the things that everyone wants to see, so if it's possible it will be in a future chapter ;3
Hope you enjoy this chapter, despite its flaws, and I can't wait to hear from all of you! :3
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As night fell, Erza remained within Kakashi's apartment, biding her time until she could strike. Knowing full well that there was somebody watching her, she took special care to look as relaxed as possible. She even went so far as to requip into her pajamas before finding one of the ninjas 'risqué' novels, hoping to appear as though this was her only plan for the rest of the evening. At a reasonable hour, she nonchalantly began closing the blinds and turning out the lights, requipping into her 'ninja' attire a few hours later after she was certain that she wouldn't be seen.
Leaving the building was going to be difficult, but after locating her 'stalker' in front of the building, she stealthy opened the window at the back just enough so that she could fit between it and the sill, judging the drop before slipping out. Rolling on impact, Erza immediately ducked behind a fence that sat across the street, glancing around to check for any sign of the person watching her before taking off towards the Hokage's office.
Ducking behind walls and stands every so often, it was slow progress for the mage as she headed towards the building. If she was caught, she knew the Leaf Village would never allow her to be left unguarded again, seeing as they already treated her with a small amount of distrust, however warranted it might be due to the nature of her original arrival in their world.
Taking the long way around to the back of the Hokage's office, Erza switched out her ninja garb briefly for her Black Wing Armor, allowing her to scale the high walls of the office without much difficulty before switching back upon landing, knowing it wouldn't be logical to where such bulky armor while she was attempting to 'sneak'. Moving as close to the wall as possible in an effort to remain in the shadows, it took very little time at all to locate a door, opening it just enough for her to squeeze between it before shutting it silently behind her.
Moving by memory more than actual sight, it had the mage moving slower than she normally would have as she felt along the inside wall, looking for any indications for where she needed to go. A light would have been helpful, but she didn't want to draw any unwanted attention such light might bring. After what seemed like hours to her as she froze at every noise she heard, the Fairy Tail wizard finally made her way into the office she had put so much effort into finding, grateful that the moonlight streamed through the windows enough to grant her enough visibility to complete her task.
Beginning to rifle through the drawers, Erza hunted hastily for the file that would contain Kakashi's current location, looking through every folder that was marked as 'classified'. Luck was on her side as she acquired the correct information much faster than she had originally anticipated, immediately spreading out the contents in a way that there would be enough light for her to read what was on the papers. A map was folded amidst the others documents, and after a quick examination of the area marked in red, the red-head began placing everything back the way she had first discovered it, being very careful to pay attention to even the smallest details to ensure that no one would suspect her actions.
Her plan was to get some sleep before preparing to leave in the morning, preparing to tell everyone that she would be returning to Fairy Tail that day due to the fact that Kakashi would be gone for who knows how long on his current mission. Erza felt bad for lying to them, knowing that it was going to damage their trust if things went badly, but there was something telling her that she had to do this. If lying was the only way she could accomplish her goal, then so be it.
…
The mage moved slowly the next morning as to not draw suspicion, taking the time to prepare herself something to eat before moving out. As soon as she was finished Erza was making her way out, taking care not to draw unnecessary attention to herself as she clothed herself in the ninja garb she had received upon her original arrival. She said farewell to the ninja situated at the gates, claiming that she would be returning home in as nonchalant a manner as she could muster before giving a final wave and departing. Once she was a good ways away from the entrance of the village, a map was revealed from the pouch that rested on her hip, silently going over her course of travel when the faintest noise alerted her to the presence of another individual.
Stopping immediately, Erza removed her katana from its sheath with lightning fast relaxes, facing the source of the noise as her eyes scanned the trees. "Show yourself." She ordered, glancing in each direction just to be sure that they wouldn't attempt an attack from elsewhere.
A moment passed before some more rustling was heard and a familiar pink and red form dropped to the ground, rubbing the back of her head in an embarrassed gesture. "Hey Erza, fancy running into you out here... I didn't realize you'd be leaving so soon hehe...he."
"Sakura…?" The red-headed warrior blinked in her surprise, straightening from her fighting posture to sheath her weapon before speaking again. "What are you doing out here?"
"Um, well, I was just… Practicing. For the Chunin exams that are coming up soon." The girl smiled, as though it wasn't obvious that she was hiding a crucial point to her story.
"Oh? Practicing what? You're ability to trail someone silently? Seems like an odd skill to be learning at the moment. Doesn't Tsunade have more important things to teach first, like combat and healing techniques?" A valid question, and it was obvious the pinkette didn't have an answer prepared.
"Ok, fine, you got me…" She sighed, dropping the act. "I really was practicing… It's just that I was also doing a mission for Tsunade. I was supposed to see if you were going to help Kakashi-sensei before reporting back so that she could send someone to stop you since she believes that you got into the office last night. She can't tell if you found anything, so she wanted me to find out for sure so that I could get in some practice at tracking… Though, it looks like I've failed at that…"
Erza found herself smiling at the tale, amused at the thought that she would send her apprentice, who obviously still has much to learn, on a mission as sensitive as this. Unless of course Tsunade was underestimating her again, in which case the mage had every right to be offending, but instead she chose instead to focus her attention on using the Hokage's low opinion to her own advantage.
"Sakura…" She started, garnering the girl's attention as she gave a smile, "You didn't fail, you simply made a mistake that you can now learn from. In my opinion, you only fail when you fail to learn anything. After all, learning is how we begin to approve." Erza stated, happy to see a hopeful smile start to replace the downtrodden look she had worn at first. "I know that your mission is to tell Tsunade whether I've gone or not, and I'm fully aware that she's your current Sensei, but I'm going to have to ask you to do me a favor… I have a feeling there's something I need to do, whether it's to save Kakashi or merely help him; I know that I have to be there. There's no reason for you to help me, but I have to ask that you do, if only for Kakashi's sake… Tell Tsunade I went home, and I promise you that she won't find out that I'll make it appear as if I did. You and Kakashi will be the only other people that have to know, I promise you that. I just know that I need to do this."
It was a long speech, and it wouldn't be strange for the girl to stop listening halfway though, but considering the surprise on her face it was obvious she had been listening to every word. As she mulled over the words she had heard, it took only a minute for the girl to make her decision, resolve on her face. "Right. I'll help you, Erza. I don't want to lie to Tsunade, but I also don't want anything to happen to Kakashi-sensei either… If I could help, I would probably do the same thing as you, but obviously I wouldn't be ready for a mission like that just yet." She chuckled, giving a short bow to the mage before her. "Good luck, Erza. Make sure Kakashi-sensei comes home safe, I don't want to lose any more of Team 7."
It was obviously hard for Sakura to keep smiling after that statement, and Erza rested a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Thank you Sakura… I'll bring Kakashi home, and if I could, I would bring everyone from Team 7 back. You're very brave, and have the potential to be something great… Don't forget that." With those words, Erza turned to leave, giving the girl a small wave of farewell before continuing on her way, wanting to make as much headway on her journey as she could before the sun set. Breaking into a run, it took her but a moment to switch into her Flight Armor, using the speed that armor gave her to give her the speed she needed.
This was why she was sent here, and the closer she got to her destination the more obvious it was.