Hey friends! I know this is a short chapter, but this will be the end of part two of my story. For right now, the story will be complete, but I promise you there will be a part three soon enough.
I need to concentrate on other stories for the time being, and let more ideas come to my head for this story. Like I said before, I promise there will be more of this story. Thanks for everyone's support and reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
The Teacher and His Student 26 : a Hokage's Compromise
"You just take care of Sakura," Naruto said with a firm nod. Leading the group out of the cave, Kakashi smiled as he wrapped his arm around Sakura; it would be a long way home.
They stood together in Tsunade's office. They had just returned from the mission the Kazekage had placed them on; the thought jeered Tsunade more than she should have allowed it to. The fact that they had not come back to talk to her about it; she was the Hokage for Kami sake.
Though Tsunade appeared happy from learning of Orochimaru's death, she also felt defeated at the closeness between Sakura and Kakashi; it seemed the two year mission she sent Kakashi on hadn't helped on bit.
The two were making it easy to see they were back together, much to Tsunade's chagrin. Though they were not touching, Kakashi stood right behind Sakura. Tsunade twitched when Sakura's hand swept against Kakashi's; the look Sakura gave Kakashi made Tsunade frown.
When Sakura had left for the mission to save the Kazekage, Tsunade was sure Sakura had hated the copy-nin. He must have told her the truth then…
"I would like to request a leave of absence," Sakura said as she stood with confidence next to Kakashi. Tsunade's eyes darted to Sakura's hand as the young woman's fingers ghosted over Kakashi's own. "A vacation of sorts."
"That would be a good idea," Tsunade nodded while she leaned forward in her chair. This would give her the chance to separate them again; she would agree to Sakura's request, while she would try to give Kakashi a much longer mission this time. "Sakura you will be granted up to a months time off from both the active roster and the hospital. After hearing your report about what happened, I feel that you deserve it."
"I would like to request a leave also," Kakashi stated while taking a step forward. Kakashi froze at the look Tsunade was giving him. Her almond eyes were hardened, and a fierce glare was set on her features.
"Denied," Tsunade said as she smirked triumphantly. "In fact the very next mission request I get I'm sending you on, Hatake."
"Wonderful," Sakura said as she took another step forward. Sakura stood in front of the Hokage's desk with a full out smirk on her usually emotionless features. "I'm requesting the services of a jounin nin rank or higher. They will need to accompany me as I make my way to Mist... For my vacation."
"Sakura-"
"I have made my decision," Sakura said as Kakashi's hand came to rest on the small of her back. "If I am going to settle down with Kakashi, as I intend to do, I need to understand Mist's motives for killing my family.
"I'm sick of waiting for someone to notice me like Zabuza-san did," Sakura said as her emerald eyes began to glaze over. "If the Mizukage wants the Haruno family dead, then he will have to deal with me. I am not going to risk the safety of Konoha for their stupid grudges."
"Sakura," Tsunade's eyes were slightly wide, and her voice quivered slightly. "I don't want you going back to Mist…"
"It's not a choice, Tsunade," Sakura said with a sense of calmness, Tsunade was amazed the young woman was feeling. "Mist will be sending assassins soon, and when those assassins fail, they will end up calling for an all out war.
"You as a Hokage cannot allow your village to be endanger over one ninja. You will allow Kakashi and I to go on this mission."
"How do you even know Mist will know of your existence, Sakura?" Tsunade asked with a slight glare. She did not like the fact that her hand was being forced into this decision.
"After killing both S class ninja Sasori of the red sand and Orochimaru, Sakura's name will be broadcasted over all the nations," Kakashi's voice drifted between the two women. "She will be placed in all the new bingo books; her full name will be shown, as well as her known abilities."
Tsunade's frowned deepened, the two before her spoke the truth, and she could not deny them this mission. Tsunade guessed she would trust in the young woman's decision to face the mist shinobi head on, but she would not allow Sakura to go in with only two ninja.
"I accept your mission request, Sakura Haruno," Tsunade's voice sounded stern and very authoritative. "But I will not just send you and Hatake to Mist, alone. Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha will also accompany the two of you."
Sakura allowed a small smile to brighten her face as she nodded. "Thank you Hokage-sama," Sakura said. "But now we have something even more important to discuss, like the fact you been lying to me for two years now."
"Sakura I'm so-"
"I don't want an apology," Sakura said sternly. "I want an explanation."
"Sakura you were thirteen," Tsunade said with an accusing finger pointed towards Kakashi. "He was corrupting you! Do you know how much older that man is than you?"
"Kakashi Hatake is one of my precious people, Tsunade-sama," Sakura said as her eyes glared forward. "Even if I was in over my head, that didn't mean you had the right to take him away from me."
"I was just trying to look out for you," Tsunade said with a tired sigh. "It may have been wrong of me to lead you on the way I did; it seemed to increase your hatred. I'm not going to apologize for sending Kakashi away for two years; you were both in too deep for your age, Sakura."
"Tsunade-sama is right, Sakura," Kakashi spoke up from her left. "For your young age, we were pretty heated. But I understand that now, and I am grateful we had time away to understand our feelings for each other. I wished it had happened differently, but now we're both adults, and we can make our own decisions."
"Hatake," Tsunade said after a moment of silence. "I want you and your team ready to leave by tomorrow morning. Sakura Haruno will arrive in Mist as soon as possible, and I expect her to be protected. Dismissed."