A/N: I'm back again! I would have updated sooner but I had a reseach paper and book report due this months along with play rehearsels! But all is well! Hope you guys like! Thanks to 9kaguya99 for reviewing! You're amazing Nel-Chan! I would also like to thank the people for favorited and/or followed this story! It lets me know that people like my writings! Well R, R, & R!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

P.S.: I am looking for a Beta reader, so I can improve my writings! Just p.m. if you can help me with that! Thanks!

2. Lost for words in a new world

As I walked into the door, my mom, lying on the couch, looked up from her book and asked if I had a good time out as if nothing had happened early that morning. She then asked casually if I wanted anything special for dinner in which my stomach started to growl suddenly as a reminder that I had skipped breakfast and lunch.

"Maybe you could make your homemade ramen with all the herbs and spices," I suggested taking my place on the loveseat, "I'll pick up the herbs if you need me to."

"That sounds wonderful, "She said with a smile as she got up and walked to the kitchen. After plundering through a kitchen drawer, she found a pen and some paper to write down the special herbs for the recipe. Gathering the list and some money for the supplies, I left my house and went down to the town herb shop.

The Konaha streets were filled with academy students who were just released and other town people out doing dinner shopping. I soon came to Vic's Veggies and Herbs. I open the door to be greeted By Mrs. Shiva, manager of the herb store. "Sakura dear gathering herbs I see? The usual?" Mrs. Shiva said in her cheery voice.

I handed her the list and said, "Hmm no, special order from my mom."

Mrs. Shiva nodded and led me to the variety of herbs. She was very helpful to me by gathering the 1.5 kg of herbs (3 lbs.).

"You fine sweetie?" she asked handing me the two bags of herbs after I had paid for them.

I smiled and replied," Yes, training with shishyou wasn't a walk in the park but it worked."

She just smiled back and opened the door for me. I then walked off without another word. As I walked, I glanced up at the blue sky and remembered something.

Ugh, I ditched Naruto and our training plans today! I just sighed and decided to make it up to him somehow. As if someone way above had heard my thoughts, I heard an energetic shout from behind me

"Hey Sakura-chan!" Naruto said jogging up behind me, "What happened with training today? Your mom said you didn't feel well enough to train, so I went with Neji and Lee to train."

"Oh," I said thinking quickly of an excuse," I was still sore from that mission with Sai."

"OK, then let me carrying those for you!" He said cheerfully grabbing them from my hands.

"Thanks," I said with a faint smile and then it hit me," Naurto, my mom is making her special ramen so would you like to join-" but before I could finish he was in a full sprint to my house. I smiled and ran up to catch him.

Dinner preparations went smoothly. Naruto and I sat in the living room and talked. He mostly rambled on about training with Lee and how he got one past the Neji (believe it when I see it) and so on.

"It's kinda weird that you of all people won't be up for training even if you sore since your planning on trying to get into Anbu," he said looking at me right before dinner. I just stared at him speechless trying to hide the shock on my face. I couldn't tell him the real reason I wasn't up for training today. I couldn't tell anyone…

"Well we can talk about that later after we have an important meeting after dinner," my mom said, popping in with her apron on and a small smile on her face.

"Ramen!" Naruto said jumping up from the couch and rushing into the dining room.

My mom gave me a wink after Naruto had sprinted past her and all I could do was mouth a small thank you. I got up and followed my mom into the dining room when I started to wonder what she was talking about an important meeting?

Trying to put that thought aside, I quickly fixed my ramen before Naruto got a hold of it. Sitting down at the table with chopsticks in hands, I looked down at my warm ramen. Smiling, I started to eat but for some reason that question popped back into my head.

What meeting could she be talking about? And why is she being so nice especially since this morning? Who the hell died? I thought as I slowly ate my ramen.

Deciding the best tactic to getting these answers was to finish dinner so we could start this meeting, I started to eat quicker. Soon I finished, and my mom followed suit. After his fourth serving, Naruto put his bowl in the sink. As he did so, my mom excused herself from the table and went into the living room shortly. After sounds of paper being dug through, my mom returned with a smile on her face.

"Shall we start this meeting?" She said still smiling.

Ok no one died...I thought as I saw the smile on her face.

Naruto and I nodded quickly as my mom placed two letters in front of us that were written in English. Everything suddenly stop as my mind felt like it was being taking back in time like it had early this morning.

Flash Back

Dear parent/guardian,

We proudly present you with a letter qualifying your child for the SUSSEP (Southern United States Student Exchange Program.) This new program is here to offer an excellent education to families from all over the world. We believe it would be best to accept your child and a friend to join this new program. We will choose a town worthy of your family, and supply you with all your needs. Your family will live there for 1 school year and return over the summer. With your permission, your child and one friend will be able to get an excellent education! All we need you to do is feel out the permission slip and the form attached. Then return this letter and signed papers to mailing address. Any questions call 1-800-324-4491 or email us at . We hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely,

Sheryl Thompson

"Wait? Explain this all to me again?" I asked my mom after rereading the letter for the third time.

"Well, we qualified for this program that the U.S. is doing. This is a way that the U.S. believes they can help their testing scores and troubled economy. If it doesn't work then we return home and they trash the idea. Of course you can pick one for your friends to bring along, " My mom explained.

"Well… I'll get to learn a lot and it would be a new experience….hmm... well OK! I'll talk to Naruto about it next time I see him, " I said with smile on my face and added in my head, and maybe I'll be able to forget about Sasuke better if I'm away from it all!

End of Flash Back

"Wait! These can't be!" I shouted as my heart pounded and I took the letter in front of me, tearing it open.

"Yes, it can," my mom said with the smile now snug on her face.

I read through mine as Naruto opened his:

Dear student,

We proudly present you with a letter stating your acceptance for the SUSSEP (Southern United States Student Exchange Program.) Your parent or guardian has signed the papers and has hopefully explained everything. You will be attending Long Beach High School in Long Beach, California. We hope you will enjoy their wonderful culture. Any questions call 1-800-324-4491 or email us at . We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Sheryl Thompson

As I finished the first Naruto handed me the other letter that was from the school we were going to attend. It stated the supplies we need and list of rules and dress code. I simply looked at my mom in awestruck. She smiled and started to explain everything to Naruto who was simply dumbfounded.

"Wait…we were accepted! What me becoming Hokage? What finding…yoou know?" He asked glancing at me.

"It's for the best, and would you really want Sakura to go alone?" She had kept saying to Naurto numerous times, as I sat in state of pure shock.

U.S.? School, new people, new stress I thought as Naurto and my mom argued. I swallowed the building lump in my throat as I tried pushing the horrible thought out of my mind. Like my mom said, it's for the best ...or is it?

"Ok now we leave in 3 days so start packing tomorrow," my mom said shortly after she convinced Naurto that we could return on holidays and so on.

"Hai," we replied weakly as I went upstarts to get ready for bed. Naruto followed me.

"Sakura-chan," He called after my quietly.

"Yea "I asked when we reached the top of the stairs.

"You sure this is going to be OK?" He asked.

"If it wasn't safe then my mom won't sign us up for it. Plus we'll be in the States. What could go wrong?" I said with a reassuring smile.

"Yea, I'm just being crazy. I just had a funny feeling like something bad was going to happen," He said with his "Naruto" laugh and smile," Well see you later."

He then when back downstairs and said thanks to my mom and bye before leaving.

I walked into my room and slipped into a nightshirt. After doing my nightly routine, I threw myself onto my bed and passed out.

The next few days went smoothly. When Naruto and I weren't packing, we were spending as much time as possible with our friends: Ino, Hinata, Sai, Kiba, Tenten, and the rest of the guys we grew up with. They took the news easily and wished us luck in the "new world". I have a feeling we'll need all the luck we can get.

Our last days pasted too quickly for my taste. After packing my last set of clothes, I zipped up my last bag and carried it downstairs. The front door was open and Naruto, my mom, and the ANBU. They were escorting us out of the village, fire country, and out of the rural island of Hokkaido, Japan into the Tokyo airport.

"Ready?" my mom said with a smile to Naruto and me.

"Hai!"

"Hai!"

Without another word or sound, we stepped out of the house. I closed and locked the door behind me as the others went ahead. I took a step back and looked at my home. Sighing, I turned and caught up with the others.

The trip to the airport went smoothly. We said our final goodbyes and thanks to the ANBU and boarded the plane. The trip to America went nearly as smooth as the trip to the airport had been. When we arrived in Long Beach, California, I was truly nervous. We start school in only 2 weeks. Dear kami help me!

After about half an hour of more travel to the neighborhood, we had found our new house. It was a decent yellowish-bricked house with a tall apartment building next door and the chief of police across the street. The house also had a driveway with a garage and a back yard, which was a good size. We stepped through the door and found ourselves in a room with dark red painted walls and a stone type pathway that lead to a big area. Walking up the stone tile pathway, we entered into a dining room with a small kitchen. The kitchen was small but it had granite counter tops, dishwasher, fridge, and other kitchen accessories. The stove was across the sink so therefore making it for one or two people at a time. It then went into a little laundry room with a new washer and dryer.

"Mom, where did all the new things come from?" I asked looking around at the TV, games, dining table, appliances, and so on.

"Compliments of the program probably, "She replied, "anyway let's get settled and I'll cook in hour or so. Go choose a room but not the master bedroom."

"Wow that's pretty nice of them, "I said with a smile and rotated on my heel, turning to my left and walked down the hall with Naruto behind me. Naruto walked into the bedroom on the first left while I choose the one at the end of the hall on the left after finding out the master bedroom was the one on the right. Dropping my luggage in front of my closet, I fell onto my new bed and passed out before even having a look around at my new room.

I woke up some time later. Sitting up, I stretched and had a look around my new bedroom for the first time. My bed was along the back wall under one of the two windows. A closet with sliding door was to my left and my dresser was on the other window to my right. Smiling at my new cozy room, I decided to unpacked. As I was unpacking, Naruto knocked so see if I was awake for dinner.

"Hey Sakura-chan!" I heard Naruto say as I closed my top dresser drew and turned to him to see him with his dopey grin on his face. Well at least not everything has changed. I looked at Naruto and sighed. How in hell could he be taking this so easy and carefree like? I envy those who are so carefree, laughing, and lucky! Well yeah, he never knew his parents and has been shun from many but he can knock it off! That's what I envy! I clenched my fist while I was thinking this.

"Sakura-chan? You ok?" He asked moving his hand back in fourth in front of my frozen face. I shook out of my trace-like stage and got up. I quickly walked pass him and left the room. I walked down the hall with Naruto behind me with a puzzled look on his face as we walked in the new kitchen...well new to us at least. I sat down in one of the bar stools trying to not focus on Naruto's questioning glances.

"Now you two need to listen up," My mom said after she had served us dinner, "Because our little "secret" ( even though it wasn't really a secret) during school you two are going to be wearing special charka sensing devices Konaha and the U.S. have been teaming up to complete because of this program and all. These devices will be able to sense even the slightest amount of charka and when it does, it will send an electric shock though you. Not enough to hurt you really. It will get lock up your muscles for a moment so you don't kill anyone." As she said the last part, she looked at me dead in the eyes and I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Do you guys understand how serious this is? They've gone through all this trouble and it will be all for waste if one of you blows up the school" She said in an extremely serious tone that slightly scared me and I didn't help that she looked at my again when she mentioned the part about blowing up the school.

"Hai!" We said in startled voices and knew she wasn't kidding! We finished eating in silence.

After I had made my way back to my room, I decided to finish with my other belongings tomorrow. Instead, I lied on my bed and thought, well another door closes, and a new one opens! Out with the old in with new! This new part of your life Sakura! Time to move on and forget! I sat up feeling so joyous that I decided to write a song.

Quickly I opened my guitar case and saw them staring at me in the face. Pity song after pity song with stupid ones in between all written about him! I closed my guitar case and tossed it in a corner. On the verge of tears, I throw my face into my pillow but to no veil, the tears came and didn't stop until they acted like my lullaby drowning me in a peaceful sleep.

A/N: I hope everyone liked! Please review! Reviews make me happy!

~Sasukes1wuver ^.^