Walking down the steps of the Hokage's office, Sakura seemed to fall lazily with each step. When she neared the bottom, she saw the others looking up at her, waiting for the verdict.

"So what's going to happen?" asked Ino, the first to say what was on everyone's minds.

"I'm being sent away to the coast. Don't tell anyone else except those who were there last night. If they don't ask, don't tell, but I'm being sent to a fishing village on the southern peninnsula. I'm going to help out at a clinic there. What Tsunade's going to do in the meantime to settle this so that I can come back, I don't know. I'm being picked up by an ANBU team tonight and they're going to escort me to the eastern coast where I'll get on a boat to take me there. I honestly don't know when I'll be back..." said Sakura, looking down.

The group could feel her sorrow. Together they surrounded her and hugged her, and as they did so, tears began to stream from her eyes. The uncertainty of how long she would be gone was terrible. None of them had any idea what Tsunade could do to bring her back, and that's what made them worry.

In their hearts they all knew that there was nothing Tsunade could really do unless Sasuke was killed. That in itself was saddening, but not knowing when one would be back was even worse. There was a chance that she would never, and they knew that after a while people might even forget about her.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan," said Naruto. "We'll fix it..."

That night, Sakura sat on her bed in darkness to make it appear as if she were sleeping. She didn't know what time the ANBU were coming, so she just watched the stars from out of her window. Walking over to her dresser, Sakura pulled out a white night dress. Lifting it to her face, she took a deep breath. Putting it back down, Sakura teared. It no longer smelt like Itachi.

Going back over to the window, Sakura peered out into the street. She wondered what Itachi was doing at that moment, and then she began to wonder what he would do, if he would do anything, had he found out what happened. Taking a deep breath, the door of her room opened.

"Sakura?" said a woman's voice.

"Hai?" said Sakura, wiping away a tear.

"Are you alright? Did you see anything yet?"

"No," said Sakura, going to hug her mother. "I'll miss you, okaasan."

"I'll miss you too sweetheart. You be safe now. Don't write, I'll be fine. You just stay hidden," said Sakura's mother, stroking her daughter's hair. "Naruto is here. He wants to see you off."

Sakura nodded. "Arigatou, okaasan. You go to bed and get some rest. Everything will be fine. I'll just ask Naruto to stay up with me."

Sakura's mother gave a sad smile, kissed her on the cheek, and said goodnight. Soon after she left, Naruto came in.

Taking a deep breath, Sakura waved at Naruto.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Mmmm. I'm ready," answered Sakura. "Do you mind staying with me until they come?"

"Sure."

Naruto and Sakura sat on the bed, side by side. As they sat there together, Sakura took the opportunity to speak her mind to the only person she could while she still had the chance.

"Naruto..."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think if Itachi found out that he would come for me?"

"Without a doubt."

"Really?"

"Sakura-chan, I don't think you remember correctly, but Itachi risked his life to save you and did everything in his power to protect you. Not many guys do that..."

"Then, why do you think he just left me?" asked Sakura.

At that moment, that last question was everything she was feeling, summed up into one question. Why did he leave her if he cared so much?

"Ano...This is what I think," said Naruto, turning towards Sakura to look at her with the most serious manner. "Why would Itachi not go after you? Why did he leave you?"

"Mmm," Sakura nodded.

"It's because he cared about you so much. Itachi knew he couldn't return to Konoha! It's not like people would ever forget what he did, and for good reason. What happened with the Uchiha Clan is between the Uchihas. They're the only ones that know what really went wrong. Period. However, people are not likely to forget a crime such as his, let alone forgive him for it. Itachi did not want you to face that. AND, there was one other thing. Itachi did not want you to follow him."

Sakura looked down. "But why?..."

"BECAUSE!!" Naruto accidently yelled, and then went back to a soft tone. "...It's because he didn't want you to suffer. The things he does with Akatsuki, you may not agree with. He could not easily give up his membership and run off with you. You would have had to endure hard times if either you stayed with Akatsuki or even ran off with Itachi."

Naruto lifted Sakura's chin. "Sakura-chan... he knew that what you have in Konoha is a good life. You've got family and friends. He did not want you to give that up."

Sakura looked deep into her heart. So that's what it was. It wasn't that Itachi did not care, it was simply that he did. The sudden revelation caused Sakura to stop breathing, and she looked at Naruto in thanks.

"But...how did someone with your brain think of all of that?" asked Sakura, looking seriously puzzled.

"Sakura-chan...have some faith in me!...Though I did overhear Tsunade-obaachan talking to Shizune about it. Shizune didn't understand it either," said Naruto, sitting back.

"And you didn't tell me sooner!? I was heartbroken!"

"Tsunade caught me eavesdropping and pummelled me until I swore that I wouldn't say anything...she thought you'd have a harder time getting over it..."

"Uuuuggghh!!" cried Sakura. She couldn't believe the numbness of the situation, so she just sat back and waited.

The waiting went deep into the night. Sakura eventually fell asleep with her head upon Naruto's shoulder. Naruto just stayed there by her side, watching over her and looking out the window for any sign of ANBU's arrival.

As he sat there, Naruto began thinking about Sasuke, and he wondered how Sasuke could have been able to grow so cold over the years. It had not been that long since he left, so Naruto just couldn't understand how Sasuke became so cruel in such a short period of time. Perhaps Sasuke had truly dropped everyone just like he had said, but Naruto knew better.

Sasuke didn't just drop him without a fight. Naruto knew in his heart that during their battle, Sasuke was trying desperately to break his own heart. Sasuke could not have left with his heart still clinging to their friendship, so he did his best to cut the bond in order to enact his revenge upon Itachi. The battle was with himself, and not Naruto. Whether Sasuke succeeded, Naruto was not sure. He had seen a lot of things he would have never thought Sasuke would do, and hurting Sakura the way he did was one of them. Taking a deep sigh, Naruto rested his head upon Sakura's.

Another hour went by and there was no noise. However, when the clock struck two, Naruto looked out at the balcony to see that an ANBU member had silently appeared.

"Sakura-chan, they're here..." said Naruto softly, looking down at her giving a tiny shake.

Sakura opened her eyes and looked out the window. Slowly she got off the bed and stood up straight to shake the sleep off.

"Arigatou, Naruto...I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Sakura-chan. Take care."

With that, they hugged for a good moment, Sakura's arms around Naruto's neck and his arms around her waist. It was a goodbye filled with uncertainty of when they would see eachother again, so they remained hugging until they felt content.

"See you later, Naruto."

"Mmm...Later..."

As Sakura slid the glass door behind her closed, she looked back over her shoulder at Naruto so that he could see her lips whisper "goodbye." Even in the darkness, Naruto could see the suffering in her eyes. Unable to do anything, Naruto took a deep breath and watched them take off.

Naruto stood there alone in Sakura's dark room long after they had left. As he stayed there staring out the window, he clenched his fist. To be driven apart as a team made him angry. He did not know whether to be angry at Sasuke or himself for letting it happen. All he knew now was that he was left behind, and that Sakura was left to face her perils alone.

"So, Sakura...this was how you felt..."