Slices

A/N: This chapter is not a time skip. We are picking up where we left off. Then we're time skipping again.

"A spy?" Naruto frowned weighing what Sakura had just told him. Those words weren't as informative as he'd like. A spy on them or a spy for them. He shook the thought away no use thinking about it until he had the facts.

"Tsunade will explain we've been summoned to her office." Sakura answered tersely she could feel her heart beating against her rib cage threatening to escape. This was the first concrete news they had about Sasuke since he had left. When she had gotten the scroll from Tsunade just minutes ago she had found Naruto before even finishing the last couple of words. Tsunade had summoned them about Sasuke there wasn't time to waste. She needed to know and the few details the scroll told her weren't enough. Just enough to imply his new level of turn coat.

"Let's go then." Naruto took to the roofs picking up speed as they moved away from the civilians and other foot traffic. He didn't know what the scroll said but if Sakura was this strung out it wasn't enough information. With that thought in mind he forced a bit of chakra into his legs and picked up speed once more not caring if Sakura was keeping up. She would catch up but he needed to see Tsunade alone first, she wouldn't hide anything from him about how bad it really was. Reaching the tower he didn't go through the normal entrance instead flaring his chakra subtly allowing Tsunade to lower the traps set around the window.

"I was expecting you." Tsunade smirked behind her hand. Sakura would like the good girl she normally was, come through the front. But not Naruto he was too much like his mentors, Kakashi and Jiraiya.

"Just tell me. She's on my heels." Naruto sighed taking the comfortable seat across from her desk for himself. His teammate would just have to suffer the lumpiness of the other one even if she would whine about it later.

"Sasuke is not spying for them if that's what you were thinking." Tsunade noted his easiness with her and his demanding posture and found herself mentally blaming his newest mentor for his obvious lack of respect. Her shinobi should show her more respect she noted before going on. "That's all I'll say for now you both need to understand the implications of what Sasuke has done and will continue doing."

"..." The blonde sat back heavily in his chair in what Tsundae had said she wasn't sure where Sasuke would land himself but it wasn't going to be Konoha for a very long time if ever again.

"Tsunade, Sakura is here." Shizune smiled softly at her leader seeing her taking care of her own work for once. The mood might be somber but being the informed assistant she knew herself to be she wasn't worried. Showing in the pinkette she returned to her desk and her own duties.

"Have a seat." Tsunade motioned to the empty chair before Sakura could say anything like it looked like she wanted to. The blonde nodded as her student sat down. "Now I know you both have plenty of questions." She leaned chin onto her fingers drawing them into their customary triangle as she stared at them for a long moment. "I can't begin to tell you the level of intelligence that we lost with Sasuke's betrayal," She didn't pause to let them think further on this instead continuing past the hurt look in their eyes. "According to the newest information we had about his whereabouts he was in Sound, where we don't have enough spies." Pausing she huffed before picking up the scroll sprawled out before her on the desk. "Just yesterday we received a coded missive from Sound. After decoding and much analysis it was determined to be a message from Sasuke. It didn't contain anything too revealing about Sound however it is addressed to both of you." Taking a deep breath she charged on before allowing them to speak. "For security reasons I can't allow you to read it personally. I can say that it said he is sorry, and not to worry. He's not coming back yet. That's all he had addressed to you."

"That's it?" Sakura asked her voice quavering slightly. "Did he say when he's coming back? What he's doing? Why he couldn't have just stayed!" Her voice was now a hysteric kind of pant as she continued her distress screaming through her as she leaned forward clutching the arm rests her eyes watering. But she found that she couldn't stop she wanted to know. "Why didn't he write to us directly! Is he hurt? Is it really from him? HOW DO YOU KNOW?" She felt herself shaking and the tears streaming down her cheeks as Naruto gaped at her and Tsunade pursed her lips studying her.

"Sakura...I know this is hard on you but trust me we ran every test we know. Sasuke imprinted his chakra into the scroll. It was from him. He doesn't want any trouble for you as he is going to spy on Sound for himself and for us. Not because he wants to but because there isn't anything else for him. He's left his home and the only way for him to ever be able to return is to do this. And he wants to return. That is the one sentiment that he put in that letter. I don't know why he left for sure but knowing Orochimaru like we do we know there is a reason." Tsunade leaned back in her chair watching as Sakura deflated into her chair. "All there is left is time. Sasuke always wanted power, he won't come back until he has it." She finished softly. She wouldn't tell them everything. Yes Sasuke had agreed to spy on Orochimaru for his eventual return but it wasn't because of Sakura. She wasn't going to mention that the pinkette was already unstable enough. She was grateful that Sasuke had at least done this small gesture.

"I...I'm sorry for my out burst." Sakura sighed rubbing the tears out of her eyes with the back of her hands.

"That's all for now. You're dismissed." Tsunade sighed waving them away allowing her thoughts to drift as she watched them walk out of her office slowly and silently. She didn't like this anymore than they did. Obviously Sasuke was a security risk and unless he proved loyalty behind enemy lines she would never allow him to return. And even if he did it would be with heavy restrictions, restrictions he wouldn't be allowed to reveal to anyone. They were too young for the burden of knowing the under belly of their world this intimately it was too soon. They needed mentors, and if she had her way Jiraiya would take Naruto under his wing and she would teach Sakura all she could. This would surely help heal the rift in their still tiny hearts.

"I can't believe he just left like that." Sakura finally found her voice again as they exited the building coming out into the sunlight. She still couldn't help the shaking in her hands.

"I'm going to leave to." Naruto declared he had been thinking about it ever since Jiraiya came into the picture. He wass a good mentor and he was sure he could learn plenty of things from him. He hadn't decided until just now but if Sasuke was out getting stronger than he wanted to as well. It couldn't be right away he still had to save up some more money from missions and make sure that he said goodbye to everyone. As he thought that he couldn't stop the image of Hinata telling him he could do it from playing in his mind. It hadn't been that long ago that she had cheered him on against Neji. She had been right and he knew that to keep her and everyone else safe he had to get stronger to protect his village.

"WHAT!?" Sakura found herself nearly screeching. "Where did that come from?"

"Jiraiya offered to take me with him when he leaves." Naruto answered her honestly. "If Sasuke is getting stronger I need to get stronger too. I can't sit here idly. It will be awhile still but I don't want to be weak anymore Sakura. I want to protect everyone that I care about and cares about me."

"You've grown up some Naruto." Sakura smiled wiping her eyes again. "You're right. I want to get stronger too. Just say good bye to me before you leave." She gave him a quick hug and wandered back into the building. Tsunade would be trying to escape her duties by now anyway so she might as well go get some more lessons.

Walking away Naruto began planning his departure. Certainly Iruka-sensei would buy him some going away ramen.

A/N: I know barely any Hinata here but I can't just not explain anything can I? We'll come back with his return! And from there Naru/Hina will pick up!