Welcome back, a bit of an emotionally charged chapter. I was never really one that could write a tear jerker, I guess because I'm not really an angst-type writer. This chapter will take place during the month before the boys leave.

Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto

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-Chapter 22: Departure-

Zaiaku was sitting atop the Konoha hospital water tower wearing only his black pants and iceblue trenchcoat, his forehead protector held securely in his hand, and Shimotsuki lying next to him. "Three more weeks," he sighed, "then we go back to snow country and get training, I have to get stronger." Laying back he laced his fingers behind his head, letting the cool night air wash over him, "I'm going to miss this."

"Then why are you leaving?" questioned a voice.

Looking down he smiled, "Hey, Sakura-san," he noticed she didn't return their usual jovial greeting, "something wrong?"

"I already asked you," she replied curtly without looking up from the ground

"So I can get stronger," replied Zaiaku, "I can't rely on Naruto and Gaara to protect all of our friends and our home now can I?"

Sakura turned a burning gaze on him, "You beat the leader of the mist seven, you beat Sasuke-kun in the tournament, and you are the best swordsman in Konoha at fifteen years old! How much stronger do you need to be?" Tears rolled down her face as she gritted her teeth, "Do you really think we're that WEAK?" she yelled. She became more infuriated as she watched the ice shinobi shake his head, "Then..why?" averting her glare, she let out a light chuckle, "no, I won't question you, it's not my place. I was coming to let you know that Tsunade-sama will be coming to check on your status later."

"Why is that?" questioned Zaiaku

Sakura spun around with a mask of happiness firmly in place, "I have the evening off, I'm having dinner with Sasuke-kun."

The ice shinobi glared as he felt his chakra chill the water in the tower, "Congradulations," he gritted out. Sakura gave a half-hearted wave and exited the rooftop. As the door closed, the metal of the water tower let out a loud groan, a moment later the liquid inside was frozen solid. Zaiaku grabbed Shimotsuki and made for his current residence, room 109. As he entered the room he nearly removed the door from it's hinges, a moment later he was stuffing his things into his duffle that was brought over by Gaara.

'Am I to understand that our departure is going to be sooner than anticipated, little one?' questioned Shiva

Zaiaku grimaced as he yanked his black shirt back over his head, 'You would be correct,' he thought as he pulled on his boots. The door to his room opened and he had a brief inkling of hope, but it was dashed as he saw who it was, "Hokage-sama."

Tsunade frowned, "You don't seem happy," she replied as she pulled out her clipboard. She watched in mild curiousity as the white haired teen reached to his bed and lifted his forehead protector, handing it to her, "What's this?" she questioned.

"I'm leaving," he replied as he tied his sash and slid Shimotsuki into place.

'You're being hasty little one,' added Shiva

The Godaime sighed, "May I inquire as to why?" When the teen didn't respond she began to get irritated, "Rouga Senmetsu, as the fifth Hokage of Konoha, I am demanding an explaination!" Reaching over she gripped his shoulder and watched him wince, "You aren't even at full health!"

"I'm fine," he hissed, pulling on his duffle he looked at the stern gaze of the new hokage. "I'll be back in a year," he sighed as he gripped the door handle, "I am not abandoning Konoha, but right now I have to leave."

Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose, "and this has nothing to do with Sakura going out with Sasuke?" She watched in amusement as the boy's posture stiffened, "she's confused, give her time. She cares about you, and I know you care about her."

Zaiaku turned a frosty gaze on her, "I care about her enough for her to be happy," he sighed and shook his head, "I'll fight to protect her happiness, even if I'm not a part of it." As he stepped out of the room he felt a firm hand grip his arm, 'WHAT!' he thought. Looking down he watched as Tsunade tied his forehead protector firmly around his bicep, "Hokage-sama?"

"Being a shinobi of Konoha isn't something that you can just cast aside because you're leaving," she replied as she looked down into his eyes, "do what you have to do then come back, soon enough there'll be a war to fight." After a smile and a nod Zaiaku exited the room, Tsunade sighed, 'I hope you can weather the results of your actions, Sakura.'

As Zaiaku approached the gates of Konoha he watched in mild amusement as sand coiled around the lock, "Busted," he said into the night.

Gaara, Naruto, and Zabuza appeared infront of him, "And where in the hell are you going?" questioned Zabuza, "it was your idea to wait a month."

"Things are not going as you had originally planned," stated Gaara simply, "she is with the Uchiha."

Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder, "Shiva said it man," he stated, "true love overcomes all obsticles."

"Maybe...maybe she was meant to be with Sasuke," replied Zaiaku as he stuffed a hand into his jacket pocket, "Maybe, it was all out of convenience. In the end maybe she just saw him in me." As he glanced at his teammates and sensei he let out a laugh, "What the hell are those looks for?" he questioned, "do I really look that pathetic?" Letting out a dramatic sigh and smirking he stepped up to the gate and pressed his hand to the covered lock, releasing his chakra caused the sand to ice over and crumble, "Later."

Naruto grunted, as the gates closed, and stormed off to Konoha's entertainment district, "Where are you going?" questioned Gaara

"To find out what the hell Sasuke's angle is," replied the blonde without slowing his pace. 'That bastard does NOTHING without a motive,' he added mentally.

Sakura was sitting at the table across from Sasuke, 'he looks bored,' she thought as she searched for a topic of conversation. "I wish you could've seen my match," she said excitedly, "Hinata was amazing, we fought to a tie."

"You didn't win," he replied flatly as he took a bite of food, "even against someone as weak as Hinata."

Sakura smiled half-heartedly, "yea, it wasn't as good as your's and Zaiaku-san's."

Sasuke glared, "He got lucky," he hissed. "I could've beaten him, he just surprised me."

"It's ok Sasuke-kun," she replied, "everybody gets beaten, Zaiaku-san is really strong. He beat the leader of the mist seven." Sakura ignored the angered look on Sasuke's face and frowned when she remembered what kind of condition Zaiaku was in after the battle. After a moment she voiced something that was on her mind, "Sasuke-kun? Why did you ask me out after all this time?"

"Because he doesn't have the capacity to lose gracefully," came the voice of Naruto, he looked like a cat that had just trapped a mouse, "he couldn't stand the fact that Zaiaku stomped a mudhole in him, then walked it dry."

Sasuke was beyond fuming, slamming his fist on the table, he stood up, "HE DIDN'T BEAT ME!"

"THAT'S RIGHT, HE DECIMATED YOUR SORRY ASS! BLOODLIMIT AND ALL AND YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE?" yelled Naruto an inch from the Uchiha's face, "YOU CAN'T HANDLE IT!" He rounded on Sakura, "ask him Sakura-chan," he said, "ask him again why he got the urge, AFTER he saw you taking care of Zaiaku, to ask you out."

Sakura glared and turned to Sasuke, "Sasuke-kun?"

Naruto watched in amusement, "It's ok Sasuke-teme, Zaiaku is gone, he left for a year," not budging an inch he locked his blue eyes on a flaring sharingan, "You win," he spat.

Sakura watched in horror as Sasuke smirked, "Of course," he replied, "I always do, in the end."

"You," growled the kunoichi as she balled up her fist

-Flashback-

"...You're annoying..."

"...A weakling like you?..."

"...She's pathetic..."

"...No I won't have lunch with you..."

"...Saving you is getting old, Sakura..."

-End Flashback-

Sasuke had no time to react as Sakura's fist collided with his face, "BASTARD!" she yelled. As the Uchiha attempted to stand he was quickly staring down the buisness end of Kubikiri Houcho. "Let's go Naruto," said Sakura as she placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder, "I've lost my appetite."

As they stepped outside Naruto burst into laughter, "How'd that feel, Sakura-chan?"

Said kunoichi joined her companion in laughter, "Pretty good," she replied. After they had walked awhile she went solemn, "He's really gone then?" Naruto nodded in confirmation, "I screwed up, ne?"

"Eh," replied the blonde shrugging. "Want to hear something a great man once told me?" he questioned, the kunoichi nodded ferverently, "Shit happens." Shoving his hands into his pockets he grinned, "He'll be back."

"I hate this," she said, looking utterly dejected. Naruto threw her a questioning look, "I was saved by you, then Sasuke, and then Ryo," she replied, "so I said, No more, and requested training from Tsunade-sama. I learned how to heal almost any wound, remove poisons, and even how to use chakra to enhance my attacks. Then during the battle, I took lives, making me into a true kunoichi." Flopping down on a park bench she continued, "Now here I am feeling weaker than ever, because of a man. Because I messed up and because, now, I realize I can't stand to have him this far away from me. What if he doesn't even feel the same way about me? It'll be like Sasuke-ku...Sasuke all over again."

"Ask him when he gets back," replied Naruto as he stood up, "I don't think you'll be disappointed."

'A rare moment of wisdom for you, kit,' chuckled Kyuubi

Sakura mimic'ed her friend and stood, "I'm going to see Tsunade-sama," she said as she gave Naruto a tight hug, "arigato, Naruto."

A week later Gaara found himself sitting at the dinner table of Hyuuga Hiashi and Hizashi, "So," started Hiashi, "you have been seeing my daughter quite frequently."

Looking up, Gaara met the glare of Hizashi, Hiashi, Neji, and several other Hyuuga's. "I have," replied the redhead flatly, "is that a problem, Hyuuga-sama?"

Hinata went wide-eyed and nearly choked on her tea, while Hiashi's glare deepened, "What are your intentions with Hinata-sama?" questioned Hizashi

'This was infinately simpler when I was Kazekage,' thought Gaara, "They are purely noble, I assure you."

"Nobility is quite a broad term," interjected Neji as he sipped his tea, "some of the most disgusting men in the world believe their intentions are noble."

Gaara cocked his brow, "Are you somehow suggesting that I am a pervert?" Hinata was choking and sputtering at this point, 'I have not been interogated like this in a long time.' Reaching down he lifted his tea cup, "I assure you that I am not." Gaara sighed, he found the whole situation rediculous, it had essentially boiled down to a staring contest between the Hyuuga household and the Shukaku Vessel, "I am simply requesting that I be able to write her while I am away."

A door slid open to reveal a Hyuuga servent, "The Kazekage has arrived."

After all the pleasantries were done with the older redhead sat next to his son, "Tough crowd," he whispered to Gaara, who in turn nodded. "I assume you are questioning my son's intentions with Hinata-san?" questioned the Kazekage, the Hyuuga's nodded, "It also came to my attention as I was awaiting entrance that you seem to be assaulting his integrity?"

Hiashi sighed, "Kazekage-sama I assure you-"

"Gaara," interupted the Kazekage, "I have reservations at the dancing leaf. It seems, however, that I am not going to make it. If you could please escort Hinata-san to dinner, I would be thrilled that the reservations did not get wasted." He smiled as he handed a slip of paper to his son, "I will attempt to join you later."

Hinata blushed almost purple, "Arigato, Kazekage-sama!"

Gaara meanwhiled just cocked an eyebrow as he read the note

I'll deal with this, Enjoy yourselves.

-Tou-san

P.S. - but not too much!

'He's very different,' thought the redhead, "Are you ready Hinata-san?" The shy girl gave a small nod, 'this will be an interesting evening.'

'Amazing what can happen when a group of idiots aren't affecting your decisions,' stated Shukaku

The two were walking down the street, Gaara in his usual posture of arms folded across his chest and Hinata with her hands laced behind her back. 'Gaara is so quiet yet quiet,' thought the Hyuuga heir, 'and he stood up to father.' She blushed as she reached out and hooked her arm with his, "Do y-you mind?" she questioned.

Gaara smiled, "Not at all Hinata-san." He looked at her and noticed her mouth moving, but no sounds were being emitted, "Hinata-san?" he questioned.

"I s-said, just Hinata is f-fine," she replied as she continued to look downward

Gaara frowned, "Why do you have your head down?" He stopped suddenly when she didn't respond, reaching out he tilted her head up, "Stop acting like you are inferior," he stated softly, "you are the Hyuuga Heiress and a strong kunoichi, be proud of that."

Hinata was confused by his eyes for a moment before she realized it was admiration she was seeing. Smiling brightly she nodded "Hai."

On the third week Naruto was practicing a kenjutsu kata on the training fields, slowly going through the motions, making sure each was done to perfection. 'Any idea on how I'm going to get stronger?' Naruto questioned the Kyuubi

'Actually, Yes,' Replied the nine-tails, 'those tails aren't just for show.'

'I'm going to learn Akujutsu? (Demon Techniques)' questioned the blonde wide-eyed

'Something like that,' answered Kyuubi, 'You have company.'

"Temari-chan!" cried the blonde as he spotted the kunoichi, "how are you?" He watched as the Konoha wind danced across her hair and clothing, 'beautiful,' thought Naruto as he broke into a foxy grin.

Temari matched his cheesy grin perfectly, "Hello, Naruto-kun," she replied, "training?" She motioned for him to continue, "Don't let me stop you, I was just coming to tell you that I'm leaving soon. With Gaara coming I want to prepare him a room in our house before he arrives."

Naruto nodded half-heartedly, "Ne, Temari-chan?" the sand kunoichi looked at him, "Can I write you?"

"Of course," she replied smiling. Turning around she began to walk away, 'one chance,' she thought. Summoning her courage she closed the distance between herself and Naruto and quickly pressed her lips to his cheek, "Sayonara, Naruto-kun," she whispered and sprinted off.

Naruto stood in shock, until he heard the Kyuubi howling with laughter in his cage, 'Your face is going to stick like that!' cried the Demon.

'Stuff it fox,' grunted the blonde as he resumed his kenjutsu kata, never able to fully wipe the stupid grin off his face.

Finally the fourth week arrived and Naruto, Gaara, and Zabuza were standing in front of the Konoha gates, "I really wish you three would reconsider," grumbled the Hokage, "there are so many missions to do!"

Sarutobi smiled, "We will be quite alright, Tsunade-chan is being overdramatic," taking a puff of his pipe he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "we will eagerly await your return."

The first was Naruto, "Oji-san, Baa-chan," he addressed them in his endering terms, "see you in a year." With a slight wave he made for the gate, as he walked through he heard someone calling to him, "Sakura-chan?"

"Hai..." she gasped, "if...you see...Zaiaku-kun." She extended her hands, which were holding a carefully wrapped package, "Please?"

Naruto beamed as he took the package, "Of course." He placed a hand up to sheild his eyes as he stepped through the gates again, 'here we go kyuu.'

'Let's not waste time, Kit,' replied the Demon

The next was Zabuza, "I don't reall have much to sa-"

"ZABUZA-KUN!" cried Anko

"Um, bye," said the jounin as he bolted through the gates

The Kazekage was recovering from a side-splitting laugh at the two's antics, "Sarutobi-sama, Hokage-sama," he bowed to both of them, "Please do not hesitate to call on us if you are in a pinch, we are allies and more than that, friends."

"We may do that, Kazekage-sama," replied Tsunade. Casting a glance to the side she noticed Gaara and Hinata talking

"Y-you promise?" questioned the shy kunoichi

Gaara smiled, "I promise, Hinata," he replied, "I will write you once a week." Receiving a nod from his father he gave her a small smile, "Sayon-"

He was cut off by Hinata throwing her arms around his neck, "I'll miss y-you."

"As will I," he added as he hugged her back, "Now, Sayonara Hinata."

Sarutobi and Tsunade watched the last of team oni depart, "It's going to be a long year," stated the old man as he puffed his pipe.

Tsunade looked over at the forms of Hinata and Sakura, "Even more so for some of us."

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End Chapter 22: Departure

Read and Review - I hope you liked, I had to make Gaara's dad a nice guy. I couldn't help it, GOMEN! Next chapter will focus less on team oni and more on the rookies as a whole.

Preview Chapter 23: Stronger