Rokudaime Book 1 Chapter 19, a naruto fanfic

Gaara stood with his back towards the setting sun, his eyes boring into the blue ones of Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto had his arms crossed, carrying the same suspicious gaze towards the Kazekage. The red-haired man coughed and turned to the woman behind him. She had dark-red hair and unusually pale white skin, something you rarely saw in the dessert.

"Who is she Gaara?"

The woman frowned, her eyebrows turning down very delicately. She carried the air of a woman raised to be regal. Gaara then turned back to Naruto. "My arranged wife, Harrah of the Sand. This is Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage of the Leaf." His voice was low and monotone as always. His wife remained silent at his side. Naruto raised an eyebrow, not feeling in the mood to be introduced to any new women. "I believe that you had yet to meet her, and proposed to introduce both to each other."

Harrah was one of those typical sand women. Her purpose since birth was to get married to the Kazekage. Gaara obviously was not the type who went on dates or had any interest in finding a wife. So the village council had kindly provided him with the best potential wife. Harrah was skilled in politics and was raised to be kind, regal and last of all silent, unless she was spoken to. Nothing like those uncontrollable women from the leaf.

Naruto laughed at this; "Really? Well, Gaara, as you can see I am busy preparing for the attack from the Rock."

"Tell him, Harrah."

The smaller woman stepped forward, her red lips seeming to compliment her already red hair. Her small mouth opened, revealing a very clear voice. "Haruno Sakura has awoken. However, we believe that something must have occurred. Both of us have noticed a lack of conversations or should I say, no verbal or physical contact, between the two of you since you have arrived. We believe that something might have happened, that could have led to this abnormal behaviour. And we would like you to introduce us to this problem."

Naruto blinked in surprise, but his face darkened at the mention of Sakura's name. He knew very well that Gaara caught that look. Then it was Gaara's turn to step forward. "Uzumaki Naruto, we propose that you either tell us, or we will not have any interest in keeping Haruno Sakura here. Mainly because of the… valuable information, one of our prisoners, Daikon I presume his name is, has been giving us."

He watched as the blue eyes moved slightly, but Gaara couldn't quite place why they moved. Fear? Distress? Perhaps a memory of something? He turned to Harrah. She bit her lip, and spoke once more. "Even if you do not tell us, I believe Haruno Sakura will, we have assigned your ninja, Yamanaka, to use her techniques on her – so if there is something you want to add, then please inform us now, Naruto-san."

The room grew uncomfortably cold at the mention of their plans, and the emotions passed freely Naruto's eyes for a second. Anger, despair, betrayal was one of the things Gaara saw clearly. Not that they really needed to confront Naruto about what they planned on doing to Sakura anyway. But perhaps Gaara could get a better clue on what caused him to act differently. It had been an idea provided from his wife of one year.

Naruto clicked his tongue and grabbed his sword. "I am going to the front gate"

Ino, to put it mildly, been very surprised when she had entered Sakura's hospital room. It smelled awfully of medicine, not that she wasn't used to it. But something told her that Sakura had been poisoned badly. The pink-haired woman was sitting upright in her bed, bangs clearly underneath her eyes. Ino saw that if she used her family jutsu on Sakura, the poor woman would faint in exhaustion.

"Hey, Ino-pig…" the woman spoke from the bed without turning from the window.

Forget it, Ino was going to make the woman faint over and over again just to get her back on that one. She pulled out a chair and sat down besides Sakura. "You know why I am here, don't you forehead-girl?"

Sakura just gave a half-heartedly laugh, her eyes turn down to her hands. "Would spoil the fun if I said I did, so I don't." Ino's smirk was replaced with a frown. Something was not right. Not right at all. Ino had seen the pink-haired woman down many times, especially after the death of Sasuke. But she had never seen Sakura…this far out.

"So, Haruno Sakura, two weeks ago, you were attacked by the rock ninja, Daikon I believe." The green eyes twisted and her hands clenched tighter on the sheet. "You were poisoned and have been near death a couple of times during the two weeks you have been here. As far as I can see you have healed a lot since then." Ino paused to see Sakura's reaction. There wasn't any and she continued. "You have lost a lot of blood, so that is the reason why you have been feeling very ill since then. However, we have noticed something much unexpected lately." Sakura gave her a side-glance and Ino continued. "The Rokudaime Hokage seems to have not visited you at all. Not only that but he refuses to talk about you. Sakura, he doesn't even ask about your status or condition. Can you give me any reason why?"

The room fell silent and all Ino could stare at was Sakura's thinking expression. Sakura was trying to find the right words to put into this situation. "Why don't you ask him yourself – I have after all been lying in my bed for two weeks straight. I have been incapable of knowing if he was visiting or not."

Ino sighed and lifted her hands, forming the seals for mind-entering. "Fine, if that is how you want to play this. I have one more question for you before I tear into your mind Haruno. Something that has been bothering me for some time."

Sakura sat up straight, seeming a bit frightened by the turn out of events. Could you get amnesia by simply wanting it? Probably not. Ino's blue eyes caught hers, and they exchanged a very serious look.

"Haruno Sakura, have you fallen in love with the Rokudaime Hokage?"

Ino could see the pink-haired women tense and have her eyes widened. Sakura's mouth parted slightly in surprise and no words escaped. "Because what you did Sakura, seems to me to be more than just protection. You almost give up your life. What happened in the cottage? Why does the Hokage seem so somber and depressed? We're guessing he feels betrayed, why?" Ino paused, seeing Sakura's sudden changes in facial expressions. "And why are my questions surprising you?"

"…………no" Sakura spoke. Ino raised an eyebrow. "I have not fallen in love with the Hokage." Ino gave Sakura a small smirk in return.

"Right – that's all I needed to know, Sakura."

Harrah looked at Gaara as they walked down the hallway to his office. He had the same stiff and silent countenance as he always had. Very uncharacteristically she spoke. "Gaara-sama, can I ask why you asked me to join you in this?"

Gaara didn't turn to her or show that he acknowledge her presence. Once they were far enough and in a private room he did broke the silence. "I believe that I might have to use you for some purposes around Suna. I cannot have you waste your abilities by sitting and drinking tea all day. Besides, Temari has requested to work with some of the Konoha refugees that arrived three days ago."

"Do you believe that her baby is Nara Shikamaru's?"

"…" he didn't answer and just opened the door into another, warmer room – the plant on the table needed water he noted himself. Gaara then opened his mouth to speak. "I believe that I will give Temari the consequences of having a child outside marriage." He pauses to think, "once she gains the courage to tell me." Then he turned to her. "However, now that war comes upon us, I believe it will be time to renew that alliance between Konoha and Suna. Possibly by a marriage arrangement – do you believe it will be fitting?"

Harrah only gave a small nod, readjusting her obi. Gaara seeing this took his time to sit down in his chair. Folding his hands as he stared into the sky, Gaara wondered what to do next.

"Maybe we should focus on the battle ahead. You may not be a jinchuriki anymore, Gaara-sama." He looked at her, narrowing his eyes to see what she where she was heading. "But the Rokudaime Hokage is, and he could become unstable."

Gaara closed his eyes. "I believe that I will have to make Yamato assist him in battle, if the Kyuubi should get out of control."

"Haruno Sakura?"

"…Harrah, I think I'll be forced to…"

Hinata snapped her eyes open and shot up from bed. She stared at Neji as he put on his war-clothes. They shared a tent with several other Konoha ninjas. To be honest, Hinata felt at home in the crowded place. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her pillow had been soaked with tears. Neji never blamed her and just continued to sleep.

"Where …where are you going?" she whispered, Neji turned to look at her and readjusted his shirt. "The Rock will be attacking soon, and I am less wounded than any of the people here. I have to assist Konoha and Suna."

Hinata closed her mouth and moved so that she sat a bit better. "You'll be coming back right?" Neji didn't say anything, and wrapped some of the bandages around his arm. Hinata frowned sadly and tried again. "Will you…"

"Hinata-sama, I was assigned to protect you till the day I die. I am a man of honor and a Hyuuga. So do not sit here and worry too much. I'll be back."

"Neji-nii-s…"

"Neji." Hinata blinked and watched his back. "Call me Neji, Hinata-sama. We both know that we're adults now. We are even equal as shinobi. You are also the head of the clan. I am the supportive role, so do not refer to me as someone you look up to. It should be quite the opposite." He glanced at her over his shoulder, "and you do know what we are now – you're afterall my…"

She nodded fiercely. "I…I understand, but please -…I do not want to lose anymore people right now, Neji-ni…Neji…"

"Hinata-sama – sleep" She looked at her lap defeated and with a soft sigh she lay down, closing her eyes. "The Hokage-sama has asked me to join him. I promise I'll be back, so you don't worry Hinata-sama."

Neji exited the tent without looking back.

Just as Ino was about to begin her mind invasion jutsu, the door opened with a bang, startling both of the girls. Ino looked back with an angry expression on her face and shrieked. "What do you think you're doing!?"

The Konoha ninja panted hard, and lifted his hand. "…T…the Hokage-sama orders you to meet him at the gate immediately. He needs your help on the battlefield."

The pink-haired woman was visibly confused, and turned to Ino. "What's going on?"

Ino stood up, and flattened her purple skirt and readjusted her blond hair. "The Rock has decided to attack us for obviously known of course. They, according to certain people, allied themselves with Orochimaru in Konoha. So we have half an army on our backs. Naruto believes they need to...reconsider." Before Sakura could manage to say anything, Ino pointed a finger on her. "And you are not going anywhere – you got that?"

Sakura's green eyes widened slightly and she sat still. The other woman nodded, took her bag and with hasty steps walked out of the room. Sakura sat behind, her eyes narrowed and her hands clenched – she wouldn't sit there and be worthless…

Naruto turned quickly, his eyes widening when he saw the small girl before him. Her dark brown hair, loose from its usual pig-tails, ran down her young shoulders. For a girl only ten, she was incredibly beautiful. Naruto couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Well…hey …Tohru-chan."

The gaze she gave him was sad, but at the same time disapproving in a way. "Where you going, Naruto-san?"

Naruto scratched his head. "Well, I have to fight. The Rock has decided to attack Suna and I need to defend my ally. That is what a Hokage does." Tohru frowned deeper and Naruto noted that she had gotten taller since he saw her for the first time.

"You'll be back right?" Tohru asked in a quiet voice.

Naruto couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Of course but I got to go now Tohr-" her small arms quickly went around his waist as she clung to him tightly.

"Heh…I can't believe a person like you is Hokage…"

Naruto's eyes widened, before he laughed. "Heheheh! You defiantly are Sakura's apprentice! No doubt about that."

The girl stopped her speech and stared at him confused. "Excuse me…"

"Hahahahah! That was the first thing Sakura-chan said to me when she saw me after six years."

Naruto slammed his hand into the desk as he tried to stop his uncontrollable laughter. "Ehehehehe"

"…" was Tohru's response.

Naruto gave Tohru a small smile and petted her hair. He remembered how tough the girl had been when he met her the first time. She was hard and cold just like Sakura, but in reality Tohru was a girl who need acknowledgement more than anyone in this world. Naruto's hands left her hair. "Of course I'll be back, Tohru-chan!"

With a quick turn he walked from the front-gate, out to the battlefield. Leading everyone in camp who wasn't wounded too badly. Tohru stared at his shrinking form, wondering if Sakura had been wrong about him the whole time. To Tohru, it seemed that Naruto would continue on and on without ever stopping. He would never die. Naruto was an unstoppable force that just smashed through everything.

Naruto was still cheery and positive in front of everyone. Tohru wasn't fooled. She knew this was just his tough outer skin. Tohru knew how angry he was, she could feel it in her bones. It was terrifying.

Perhaps that was why Sakura had warned her…Tohru had a very bad feeling about this.

Naruto stood proudly, a small white cloak shielding him from the sun. Neji and Shikamaru stood by his sides, and the shadow nin turned to see the Kazekage arrive with Yamato. The Hokage frowned at this, but continued to stare ahead. He suddenly without warning jumped forward, leaving everyone else behind. A dust cloud was left in the now missing Hokage's wake.

Gaara frowned and with a low voice ordered all of the ninjas to not follow Naruto and just stay behind to fight those who manage to escape him.

Naruto ran through the desert lands towards the rocky outcroppings that marked Rock country at incredible speeds. He had decided to save his chakra from teleporting for the battle and proceeded through the terrain with his body almost level to the ground.

The dust clouds created, could be seen from miles away but Naruto didn't care. He wanted to hit the armies' set up to attack Suna head on. Fangs in his mouth and claws in his hands grew in anticipation.

The Rock army had settled in a large thriving border town named Fukeizai. They were in preparation for their Tsuchikage's orders to invade Wind country. Consisting of fifty Jounin, a hundred Chuunin and over two hundred Gennin, the whole army geared themselves for a fight once they saw a massive plume of dust heading their way. They immediately went on alert and awaited the menace.

That something came to an abrupt stop in front the first line of defenders. It turned out to be a man in dusty white and red robes. A hat marked 'Kage' covered the man's face till he cockily turned his chin up, laughing. They all saw the tall man give them a psychotic smile and look about hungrily.

There came no clichéd speech or heroic soliloquies from the man in robes. The Jounins in charge did not give him a second chance for one either, as they threw high powered ninjutsus at the figure. The chakra laden forces smashed into the spot as cover for the appearance of massive five story tall humanoid summons made of rock.

These imposing monstrosities shambled towards the intruder, lifting their knobbly arms to strike. Five of these hulks approached the dusty fog that enveloped the attacker's position. All ninjutsu attacks stopped as the Rock army caught their breath and readied for the next assault.

Like before, they heard laughter. Of the same voice, only now it came from everywhere. All around them, tens of voices. No, hundreds of voices, all laughing heartily. This unnerved most of the ninjas Chuunin down. Suddenly the five hulking summons toppled on themselves, returning to a pile of boulders without any sign of attack or resistance. That was when the Jounin realized they had a problem.

The laughter stopped to be replaced by a new sound behind them. In wide eyed surprise and the Rock shinobis all turned around. Army leaders gave orders quickly to counter a rear attack strategy the enemy was using. They were too busy to keep their attention in front of them where the rocks still tumbled down from the broken summons.

Naruto watched quietly as the shinobi in front of him ran as far away as they could. His grim smile never dropped as he willed to existence hundreds more shadow clones. The shinobis will be sandwiched together with no hope of escaping. In his delirium Naruto dipped further into his power then ever before.

Several thousand shadow clones, melded in his image, were brought forth to enforce the Rokudaime's will. The Will of Flame will be brought to burn all those who stand against Konoha. Starting with Fukeizai.

Fire, a rage all consuming and growing took hold of Naruto hours later. Blood streamed out of his palms as claws dug in and he shook from head to toe. A force of creation and destruction engulfed the Rokudaime in madness. Uzumaki Naruto's murderous glee only grew as he felt more souls near him from the direction of the desert. He turned to the desert, a body sheathed in wild blood red fire. For the first time in so long, the Rokudaime gave in to the intoxication of power unrestrained.

His precious people are dieing. She betrayed him. They have all wronged him. And Uzumaki Naruto is sick and tired of running...

…he was tired of escaping…

…tired of being…the one to get betrayed by Konoha and the woman he had…loved…

"Naruto!" the familiar voice shrieked and he saw her. Fever struck face and narrowed eyes, her fist ready to stop the Kyuubi at all costs. The woman wouldn't let him harm any of the ninjas.

Anger.

Rage.

He could feel it so badly...there was no way he could stop it. His hands went to his face, and he could sense her worry…

His eyes snapped open when he felt the Kyuubi aura pierce through his body and his mind seemed to disappear in the shadows. He felt her hands slam against his chest, trying to suppress the chakra. Sakura screamed when a red tail slammed against her body, making her fly across the field, with a huge wound on her shoulder, screaming out in terror.

"ROAAAAAAAAAARGH!" his scream echoed through the valley. Yamato was still too far away to do something. Sakura started to panic, watching as Naruto slowly bent forward, his chakra-claws digging into the hard rock underneath him.

The anger, Naruto couldn't keep it in, he needed to do something, he needed to get it out. Her name seemed like a curse upon their lips as they had whispered through the hallways in the Suna mansion.

Before Sakura could do anything he grabbed her by her wounded shoulder and pushed her upwards, holding her in the air.

He could see how Daikon's poison moved through her face, and made her pale. Sakura lying there, more vulnerable than he had seen her in years. He wanted to tell her so much, he wanted her to know so much – he opened his mouth to say something, but she beat him to it.

"I…I have lied to you."

He could see it – her pale green eyes wide with fear, as he grabbed her shoulders more fiercely, the killer intent was without a doubt there. He wanted to end her life with that horrible wide grin on his face.

Naruto barely manage to register the chakra suddenly streaming out of her body, as she hit him in the chest, making him fly through the sky like. His body slammed into the trees, and made a whole area naked, the tails continuing to emerge. Three tails…

Sakura had to stop him before the fourth came. She thanked the Godaime for teaching her perfect chakra control, when she started to concentrate the chakra in her hands. She could see the blue colour so brightly at the tip and she swallowed hard – none had survived to see the jutsu at its full scale. Sakura wondered if she would too, it was afterall suicidal.

Sakura swung around, leaving the chakra to create a circle around her. As she pushed out more chakra, it would end up creating a wall. An honour to the Haruno crest. Naruto stood up, the tail slowly forming and she could feel the fear coming, claiming her as a victim. He was going to kill her – and this time, sorry wasn't enough.

He sprung towards her, the claws ready to tear up anything in its path. Sakura barely avoided the charge. "Naruto! Stop this!" she screamed. She could see the red eyes switching to blue for less than a second, staring into her terrified eyes. "Stop this!" However, he didn't and charged her again with even greater force than before. Sakura jumped backwards and readied her fist to knock him out.

"Sakura! Stop that jutsu now!" a hand grabbed her by the mouth and slammed her backwards, making her hit the ground hard. Naruto screamed out when Yamato placed the seal on his body. "Seal!"

The Kyuubi's terrified scream ran through the air, filling the whole valley.

Sakura looked up and found to her surprise, Jirayia standing above her. He was giving her a very disapproving look. "You could've killed him with that jutsu…and yourself too" she shut her mouth and just glanced at Yamato lifting up the unconscious form of Naruto. He was also staring down at her too. But Yamato looked at her with anger instead. "What did you do? He went completely nuts – He was even charging towards Suna-forces!"

Sakura couldn't say a thing…

Gaara had his hands folded as he glared at the woman before him. Her pink hair still was still tainted with the blood of the battlefield – he knew it would be necessary. Shikamaru and Neji stood at his sides, being the substitutes for Naruto as long as he was out of commission.

"Haruno Sakura, we have matters to discuss" She didn't say anything in reply. "Hyuuga Neji, Nara Shikamaru and I, have concluded that you are the key to Uzumaki Naruto's uncontrolled rage. By having you here we bring many people in danger. The probability of him going insane is far greater than we could have imagined. Naruto hasn't lost himself to the Kyuubi demon in years. Shikamaru believes he last lost control before he even became Jounin. Berserker raging in battle can be ruled out. But his behaviour concerning you before is our only clue into why he lost control. None of us find you in any way trustworthy as well. For the safety of my people, our combined troops and Konoha's Hokage, you will be banished."

Sakura looked at the ground.

"Haruno Sakura, you have one hour to get all of your stuff, say your farewells and leave the capital and Suna. Neji will escort you to the border, so we're sure you're out of the wind-country. What you do afterwards is none of our business. Just as long as our business is none of your business. When you have left the country, your Konoha citizenship along with your Suna-visa will be terminated. You're not allowed to enter Suna, and if you do and we find you, we will kill you as if you were a missing-nin. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"Good. Now, leave."

Neji took her by the arm and led her out of the office, leaving Shikamaru and Gaara alone.

"Why do I have the feeling this isn't going to work out?" the shadow-nin muttered, Gaara began to sign the papers, before answering.

"That doesn't matter, Haruno was a potential danger and we have to get rid of her – I am not interested in her past or how she can help us. She does more damage than good"

Sakura hovered above him, a large grin on her face. Naruto smiled, feeling his weight become heavier with her on top. Her hands went to his sides, ready to start one of their beloved tickle fights. "Hehe – so, Uzumaki Naruto? Any last words?" she muttered, touching his orange shirt as a warning of her future actions.

"Yeah – I actually do…" she grinned wider at this, and his hands suddenly went to her hips, locking her in place. "I want you to stay with me forever and ever and ever and ever…" he stopped speaking when he saw the surprised expression on her face. He then grinned – but the cottage was unnaturally silent.

Sakura's eyes were wide with fear as she gazed upon his form. Jirayia's voice screamed, but he didn't hear the words. All he could see with the gaping wound on her shoulder and her green eyes glittering with fear. Her chest heaving as she tried to breathe so badly, but it was impossible – he was sure she was going to cry.

Then Naruto felt Yamato's fist on his stomach – and everything went dark.

Naruto shot up from his bed, his eyes wide and his body shaking from fever. His limbs were sore and he had no idea where he was. His blue eyes scanned the dark room and he could hear the rain outside the Suna windows. It was so rare when it rained in Suna that they celebrated it. But when he looked out, there were no sparkling lights, only the feeling of mourning.

Then he saw her. Tohru was sitting in a chair beside the window. She was looking out, as if looking for someone. His eyes narrowed, Tohru never sat up at night without Sakura. Even then, she would be in bed.

Something was wrong.

"Tohru-chan?" Naruto asked, but the smaller girl didn't say anything. Her eyes continued to search the landscape. It made him sit up fully, his eyes narrowed. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Tohru looked at her lap, clenching her fist.

"S…Sakura-san! You are alright!? The poison didn't get you!?" Tohru yelled when her teacher entered the room with their belonging. A man followed her closely behind. Sakura didn't answer.

Tohru raised her eyebrows in confusion and followed them to their bags. Sakura hoisted her bag over her shoulder and looked through a small shrine with jewellery. "Sakura-san?" she spoke again, this time both of the adults looked up, and down at the little girl. Tohru could see the sadness in her teacher's eyes.

Sakura bent down so she was on eye level with Tohru. Before she knew of it, Sakura hugged her with full force. It didn't take Tohru long to hug back, just grateful that she was okay. Until Sakura softly started whispering.

"Tohru-chan – I cannot stay here any longer. They do not want me here. I need you to stay with Naruto, he'll keep you safe." Tohru's eyes widened. "Do not attempt to follow me, because I will not return. If you see the Akatsuki, run. As fast as you can."

"Sakur-"

"Shhh – it'll be alright. We'll meet one day, I promise. Even if it's going to be many years from now." Tohru could feel Sakura's lips touch her temple, as she dried away the little girl's tears. Akatsuki haven't broken Sakura completely, and Tohru wouldn't do so either. So all Sakura could see was the small flicker of sadness claiming her little Tohru's eyes.

Then Sakura smiled, and stroked the girl's cheek. "I can't take you with me, but please become…a wonderful woman."

Tohru brought a hand to her own mouth, as if preventing a sob. "Sakura-san…"

"Tohru-chan, you know…it's alright to call me mom…"

With those words Sakura stood up and walked out of the room. Neji followed behind her, carefully making sure she didn't run anywhere.

Temari stared at Sakura's departing figure off in the distance. She had been lucky to escape Gaara's scolding and found a cool place at the great wall outside the Suna capital. Her dark green eyes closed as she enjoyed the feeling of the rain soaking her body. A hand touched her shoulder. Temari did not need to turn around to know who it was.

"Sakura was a nice woman…" she muttered under her breath, he just tightened his hold on her shoulder.

"You should've seen Naruto. The first time he woke up..." Her eyes opened again. "He was so angry when I mentioned her name. Naruto smashed the tray with food away, saying he never wants to hear her name again." Temari turned her head to the man. "Is this what happens with lovers?"

Shikamaru looked at her and then away. "It's strange." His hand tightened even more. "I have the feeling that … even though Naruto is overwhelmed by emotions now, he won't…He wont hate her forever." Temari frowned. "It just wouldn't be Naruto to hate someone." His hand slowly went from her shoulder to her arm. Temari was down and it was only when she was like this that she would actually let him touch her. "

You know Temari, there is this fine line between love and hate. Sometimes when you really are in love, to the person it feels like hate." Shikamaru took a deep breath. "Because they might have hurt you and you can't accept it. You can't accept it that you still feel something for them."

Temari frowned even deeper. "Shikamaru, it's not fair for them to expel Sakura from Suna or coming near Naruto." He looked at her, pulling her closer to him.

"Maybe, we can do something." She turned to look at him again, staring into his eyes. "It's not impossible for us to bring her back. We would need a good enough excuse to have her here. But first of all, we have to convince Naruto to-" Temari stepped out of his hold and began to walk down the staircase, he groaned. "What are you doing?"

"Asuma needs to be put to bed."

Shikamaru blinked, stunned. "You named him Asuma?"

"…" Temari didn't say anything and before he knew off it, Shikamaru was left on his own.

Suna border, 3 miles the sing post saidThe area was full of trees, something that wasn't seen in the middle of the Wind-country. Sakura stepped closer but she noticed Neji remaining still.

"I trust you to leaving the border wouldn't require any of my assistance. I will take my leave" Hyuuga Neji said, coolly.

Sakura turned around and readjusted her bag. She saw this strange look on his face, as if he wanted to say something. Sakura grinned, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me. I promised that to Tohru didn't I?" A weak laugh punctuated her remark and Sakura began to walk to the border again.

"I do not know what you have done, but Naruto doesn't attack people without reason. A very good one and we're sure its not because of relationship problems. You've hurt him before, this wouldn't be new." Sakura didn't answer and continued to walk. "I wish that you never came back to Konoha, Haruno-san. You have only brought misfortune to the country."

She still didn't stop. But this did not stem Neji's outpouring of honest thoughts.

"I wish that the Hokage never had fallen so badly in love with you. Of all the women out there he choose you since being a boy…and you didn't return any of it." This time Sakura stopped and growled.

"Neji, how do you expect to know of love? Your wife loves you, stay put with that. Naruto is the Hokage. It's different when he is the Hokage. I cannot just become his lover like that." Sakura breathed in, "And I am not ready for that. Now, I do not expect us to see again. Farewell." When there was no sound in response, she turned her head to glance over her shoulder. But there was no one. Sakura clenched her hands on the bag and turned her head to the road ahead.

Former Sannin of Konoha, Haruno Sakura's form slowly disappeared into the woods. The sun rose over the wind-country, illuminating her form and casting a long dark shadow.

1 year later…

A/N: stay tuned for the next chapter – I don't know why I feel so evil…

You're welcome to guess how the story will turn out – I read every review, but usually doesn't have time to answer back. Guess, and see if you were actually right about it!

Who left?

Answer: Haruno Sakura.

Only three clues left.

The fighting scene was written by my beta-reader causeIambetta, well, because he IS better than me at fighting scenes, but it needed my approval, and has gotten adjustments here and there – hope you like!

All rights to Kishimoto!