She thought it was just a dream. A really uncomfortable…and wet one. As in so wet, she couldn't move her body wet. Her arms and legs were frozen stiff, her clothes felt as though they were soaked in water for days, and did she mention that she was freezing?

"Where…"

Stirring slightly, she was just barely aware of her surroundings. It must have been quite the fall, or maybe she was out there for too long. She shifted her head to the side to get a better view.

Green.

That's all she saw. Green and a bit of gray. Though it was a lot more…fuzzier than usual. Regardless, she turned to her side to get the blood flowing to her head again. With luck, it'll be no more than a few seconds for her sight to return to normal and find out just which side of the earth she was on.

Where was she? Actually, scratch that. When was she? How did she end up here to begin with? One minute she was on her two feet, then there was a light…

A pang could be heard from deep within her heart.

She remembered falling…

Falling. Alone. In the dark.

Without her.

Tears brimmed her eyes, as she the memory washed in her: the attack, the red eyes…her betrayal. She betrayed her. She left her to go alone to complete the mission when she swore that she would always be there with her. Where is she now?

Of all the pain in the world, betrayal is not something that one can recover from easily. It takes time. She doesn't have that. She cried out, slamming her fist against the ground in despair.

She planned it all along. She was never planning to come with her.

Why? Why didn't she tell her?

She would have done something about it.

Her body stiffened as an audible click was heard.

She would have done something. That was exactly why she never whispered a word. She knew that her apprentice would have done something "irrational" or something that would endanger the mission for her sake. She wouldn't take the risk.

Sakura closed her eyes, letting the tears stream down. There was no choice.

A ninja, must complete his or her mission to protect their village. Even at the risk of their own life.

The legendary Tsunade was one of them. She died in battle- an honorary death- while passing on her mission to her apprentice Sakura Haruno. It was now her duty and obligation to complete it.

She began exercising each finger to regulate her blood flow. She couldn't afford any distractions at the moment. The only thing on her mind now is to not freeze to death.

To survive.

That's what she had to do. Survive. She'll handle everything else later.

She balanced herself, as she tried to stand by using the nearby tree, as support and looked around, hoping to get a sense of where she was.

At least it wasn't Suna. They had rainfall how many times a year? Oh that's right, they don't. Because it was a freaking desert there! In comparison to where she was now, this place would practically be a rainforest.

Sakura climbed the tree to get a better view of her surroundings and groaned when she saw a vast land of greenery. Way to go Sakura. Way to get yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with no leads whatsoever. Fantastic.

Looks like there's no other choice. Infusing chakra into her legs, she turned, speeding away to wherever the wind will bring her.

* * *

Running for hours on end wasn't getting her anywhere, there wasn't any hope of finding a lodging or a settlement at that. Occasionally, the kunoichi would stop for a break or two by any rivers or streams close by; otherwise, she ran.

Although, it was obvious that she wouldn't be able to keep this up any longer. She hadn't eaten all day, meaning that her chakra levels were dangerously low. Drinking water wasn't going to sustain them, but it would keep her body hydrated long enough for her to find some sort of nutrition.

She stopped on a branch and scoured the area for anything that wasn't poisonous yet edible. Just for a second or two. What she didn't know was that it was long enough for her to be tackled off the branch and land a few meters from where she stood.

"I FOUND YOU SAKURA-CHAN! NOW YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR LUNCH!"

Perplexed at this sudden assault from this stranger screaming in her face, the pink haired woman couldn't help wondering just who, on the face of this planet, would jump someone that was standing meters from the ground.

"Wha-"

"Don't even think about getting out of this one! A deal is a deal! You said that if I was able to find you after our training session, that you would go out to lunch with me!"

Wait, that voice…

Dizzy, she looked up at the figure now standing over her, trying to make out any discernable features.

For starters, he was a giant blob of black and orange with a small portion of yellow. As her sight improved, she was able to see more in detail.

He had a round face with a fox-like grin plastered on it, his short blonde hair ruffled and unkempt. His cerulean eyes laughed in joy, amused by her bewildered state.

On the ground, she willed herself not to cry.

"Na-Naruto?"

He pointed at himself in pride. "The one and only."

He grinned from ear to ear at his feat. Even with his training, it was impossible for one to track down this konoichi despite her prominent pink head.

When she began sobbing, he panicked. Just a few hours ago she was smiling to the world, and now…now she wasn't. "Sa-Sakura-chan, don't cry. You don't have to pay you know? I was just jok-oof!"

He came crashing to the ground as she clung to his waist, sobbing even harder into his jacket.

"Alright! Alright! I'll pay! Just stop crying before Ino finds out! I'll even buy you dumplings!"

"Naruto! I missed you so much!"

He looked at her, baffled. Seriously? He was gone for only an hour or two, and he already had her on the ground crying on him. The blonde grinned.

"I know. I tend to have that effect."

She punched him on the arm, smiling. "Quiet you baka."

It wasn't entirely her fault. It's been so long since she's seen him; she could hardly believe that it was the Naruto Uzumaki in the flesh. Everything was going to be alright.

A hand pressed against her forehead.

"Huh, no fever. What else could make you this crazy?"

Her eye twitched.

Looks like he's still the same mindless idiot from all those years ago.

* * *

They sat in a ramen shop they usually had lunch at, while Naruto chatted away about "some mutt that ate his cup of noodles". At least that's what she thought she heard. It was most likely Akamaru. So many things were wheeling through her mind right now, that she was pretty sure that she was bound to developing a headache.

A hand waved in front of her, forcing her out of her thoughts.

"Something must have happened to you Sakura-chan, you look kind of pale."

It took her a minute to process what he said.

"…What?"

"Pale. You. Look. Tired. You."

"Naruto, as much as I like the update some things are better kept to yourself."

He continued to wolf down his lunch. "I'm just looking out for you. I mean, with what's been happening lately I don't want you stressing over it."

Sakura pondered over her bowl. The time she was thrust into must have been farther than they predicted. Once again, she was wearing familiar black shorts with a red sleeveless shirt. Tucked into her pockets were black gloves, so it means that it was around two years after Sasuke left. Naruto apparently also returned a few days ago, and since there were no recent missions there was a high chance that nothing much happened either.

But what made so many people wear masks? When they were making their way from the forest to the shop, she couldn't help but notice the number of people that had their faces covered. If they had masks, then that meant that there was an epidemic. Sakura mentally recalled any major illnesses that may have possibly occurred.

Infection in the immune system. Sudden paralysis of the spine. Poison affecting the digestive aci-

A pressure, no, a force drove into Sakura pushing her forwards against the counter.

"Hey Forehead!" the voice called out "Enjoying your lunch so far?"

Turning, she came face to face with a tall blue-eyed blonde. Similar to Naruto, just not Naruto.

"Pig. Never expected to see you here."

She huffed, crossing her arms at her remark. "As if. I was on break and saw you here, so I came by."

A slender eyebrow rose. "I never thought I'd see the day when Ino Yamanaka would take a break."

"Just this once. Shikamaru is taking me out to see the fireworks." A faint blush reached her cheeks.

"I-It's nothing special though! He just thought it would be nice to enjoy the fresh air."

Unknowingly, Ino looked down. "Besides, it's not like something's going to happen."

"Ne, I never knew you and Shikamaru were dating Ino!" Naruto exclaimed on a mouthful of ramen.

Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Ewww- you have to teach him some manners Forehead. He's never going to impress Hinata that way." Burning red, Naruto looked down muttering under his breath.

Sakura let out a giggle. It seemed that the two never got along no matter what the situation. Blonde hair, blue eyes, loud. So alike, yet so different.

"Geez Ino, do you ever consider the fact that he might just be waiting for the right moment?" She purposefully left out that whenever he did get the perfect opportunity to be with her, he had to leave because he remembered that he had to do some "errands".

"Whatever. Don't wait too long, it might be too late when you do plan to make your move. You know, we'll be all old and wrinkly by then."

Flustered, he pointed an accusing finger at her. "I will not! And you about you?! I don't see anything happening between you and Pineapple anytime soon!"

"There's nothing happening between us! And don't call him Pineapple!"

"That's a lie!"he crossed his arms stubbornly, "I've seen the way you look at him! I'm pretty sure everyone's seen it!"

The two glared at each other, waiting for the other to give in until there was only one way to resolve the dispute.

"Sakura, what do you-"

When they turned their heads, Sakura had, unknowingly, disappeared without a trace.

"Look what you did! You scared off Forehead!"

"What are you complaining about?! I'm the one who has to pay!"

Okay, this took me a while and it's not as good as I hoped it would be.

Sorry that this chapter was much shorter.

Sasuke will be introduced, just not right away.

Happy Easter everyone ^^