Chapter 1: Oblivious

Opening my eyes from a dizzying headache, I sat up in my seat, coming out of my lying position with my back bent. No one was in the room at the moment, and it seems that Anko left an empty plate of dango on the medical table full with instruments. Standing up, I steadily took the tray and dumped it in the trash when the infirmary door slammed open and in came a cheerful and happy Naruto.

"Sakura-chan!" He said, wrapping his arms around my shoulders in that missing and happy way.

"Naruto," I let out in a surprised voice as he pulled back grinning. I glanced over his shoulder and saw an out of breath Sasuke and a raised eyebrow Kakashi and smiled back at her best friend.

"We saw you stumble a bit so we came running right over, are you okay Sakura-chan?" The blonde haired boy asked as he tilted his head to the side, his bright blue eyes filled with concern. I grinned and looked at my friends, my hands linked behind me.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be? I just became a Jounin," I replied, seeing Naruto smile back and Sasuke's eyes soften.

"We've got something to tell you too, Sakura-chan!" The always energetic Naruto said as he pulled Sasuke up to him, his arm around his shoulder. That earned him a death glare from the quiet Uchiha as I waited for whatever was coming. I took a quick glance at Kakashi and saw a look of mischief in his gray eye.

"Dobe here and I are Jounin's too!" Those words were like a dead weight against my shoulders. I blinked away the astonishment as easily as it came and gave the two of them a fake smile. I felt Kakashi's gaze on me, but didn't acknowledge it, looking at the two teens actually smiling.

"That's great! Why don't we go celebrate?" I suggested, glancing at a wide eyed Kakashi. Naruto whirled around and grinned, hoping to eat at Ichiraku's for a treat.

"Yeah! I can go invite everyone to celebrate right now!" Naruto said as he ran off before an astonished sensei could stop him. I chuckled as my old sensei sighed at his growing blonde haired student.

"You're wallet's gonna be empty by the time you step out of Ichiraku's," I said as I organized my stuff on the medic table, putting my things back into the shuriken pouch then strapping it back on. Turning around, I spotted a slumped over Kakashi, the color of doom spreading around him as his wallet faced emptiness.

"So Sasuke, are you going to Ichiraku's too?" He noticed that she dropped the suffix "-kun" off his name and closed his eyes calmly, shrugging nonchalantly. However, he was wondering what had happened, what made her drop the suffix he used to find so annoying.

"Well then, if you're going, I'll see you there! Kakashi-sensei," I neared him by the door and met his eyes, smiling. "Be careful with your wallet," I warned walking past him and into the direction where Naruto ran off a few moments ago.

Oblivious

"It seems as though something seemed to have happened since you returned, huh Sasuke?" Kakashi asked, turning to his favorite student. The black raven haired teen leaned against the wall, his katana tapping against it. He opened his eyes and met his teacher's, a hardened look in them.

"Yes, it does seem that way." He replied, making his way out the door.

"Are you planning to go to the celebration?" The Sharingan user asked from the doorpost. All he received in reply was a flick of Sasuke's hand as he made his way out of the arena and into the village.

Sighing, he looked out the window and stared up the clouds. They're just like Rin, Obito and I back then he thought, smiling. He lowered his gaze and saw the crowd of Rookie 12 all grouped together with Naruto in the middle, chatting up a storm. They all had excited looks on their faces and soon were jumping up and down, cheering.

Realizing what Naruto must've said to them, he face palmed and started to make his way out of the infirmary, knowing that in a few hours, his wallet would be a barren wasteland.

Back to Sakura

I can't believe it. They're Jounin's and they…they kept it from me? But then that means that they'll be there to protect me again! I became a Jounin to stop this problem!

"Wait," I whispered, stopping in my tracks for a second. Maybe they just became Jounin's so they could be with me. Smiling, I silently thanked them so I wouldn't be alone during missions, maybe. Hearing loud cheers, I turned and saw the entire Rookie 12 laughing as Naruto spread the news.

"C'mon let's go look for her!" I heard Tenten exclaim excitedly, her fist up in the air. Everyone agreed and turned right exactly in the direction of where I was. Everything froze in that second, just stares going all around. Then Kiba howled and pointed at me, Akamaru wagging his tail.

"FOUND HER!" Then, within a second, I was crowded with my friends excitedly chattering on how awesome I did in Jounin exams. I laughed with a cheerful expression on my face as all my problems faded away, turning into an enjoyable time.

"Awesome job Sakura!" Tenten congratulated with a smile on her face.

"Thanks! So I'm guessing you guys all know the news?" Sounds of confusion echoed through her friend's mouths, all eyes pointing towards Naruto.

"You did tell them..riiiiight?" I murmured, taking a step close to the confused blonde haired teen.

"OH! Thanks Sakura-chan!" He said, nodding at me with a bright smile. "You guys are all invited to the celebration of Sakura become a Jounin at Ichikaru's tonight! Kakashi-sensei is paying so it'll be fine! Bring EVERYONE!" Naruto announced loudly, his fists up in the air in excitement.

We all cheered, joining our fists with his, smiles on our faces. I met each other their eyes: Neji's opaque ones, Tenten's bright brown eyes, Lee's sparkling black ones, Kiba's mischievous ones, Hinata's kind ones, Shino's glasses, Ino's pretty blue eyes, Chouji's squinted eyes, Shikamaru's bored ones, and Naruto's flickering blue ones.

"See you guys tonight then!" Naruto said as he waved goodbye to his comrades as they made their ways back to their homes, either going to invite their sensei's or just to talk before the celebration.

I walked down the clearing street with Naruto, talking about the old times, and laughing. We remembered our teachings with a very confusing Kakashi-sensei and when Naruto was tied to the post, not able to eat lunch.

"We've really grown a lot haven't we Naruto?" I asked, a smile on my face as the sky turned a light orange from the setting sun. The one day to be Hokage teen grinned and nodded his head, agreeing.

"Everyone's changed! Well maybe not you-"A fist came down on his head as my eye twitched in annoyance. He yelled in pain as I pulled my hand away, clutching his head as a lump formed.

"Idiot, I have changed! More than you know!" I retorted, eyes blazing with anger. Naruto tilted his head in confusion and put a finger to his chin.

"Really, since when?" He asked in that childish, not knowing way. Groaning, I brought my hands up to my head, looking up at the sky in irritation.

"Tell me Sakura-chan!" Naruto pleaded in that annoying voice of his. Shaking my head, I stalked off; my fists clenched and made my way back home to change.

"Forget it!" I snapped back, leaving Naruto in the slightly empty streets. I felt a bit guilty but for him not to completely notice made me unforgivably angry! Slamming my apartment door, I stood behind it; my back leaned against the wall, a tear hitting the floor, just that single tear.

"He doesn't know exactly how much I've changed," I whispered, brushing my eyes quickly and pulling my closet doors open to reveal two sets of my uniform and about dozens of kimono's and dresses. Taking out a kimono that I liked most, I went over to my mirror and took out matching pins and laid them next to the kimono.

"I just hope he realizes it soon," I added, heading into the bathroom to change.

Oblivious

"Oi! Kakashi-sensei!" The man said raised his head from his book and saw Naruto walking over to him in an orange and black kimono, the tie around it black. He gave him two peace signs with his fingers and hopped on to a stool, actually looking handsome. Without his forehead protector over his forehead, he looked much different, much like a girl without her glasses, wearing contacts instead.

"Ah, Naruto, you really look different without your uniform on," The gray haired sensei observed with a nod. His former student grinned and put a hand on his sensei's shoulder.

"Thanks! But why didn't you wear one?" He asked, looking at his plain Jounin outfit. Kakashi laughed nervously and scratched at the side of his head.

"Well, you see….I'm not really into that type of thing-"Naruto interrupted with a knowing laugh, his eyes narrowing in a creepy way.

"I bet you just don't have one, Sensei," He chuckled, turning around with crossed arms. Stuffing his book in his pocket, Kakashi faced his student and made a no sign.

"No, no that's not it. Of course I have one! Why wouldn't a shinobi like myself not have one?" He told his student calmly, but then the blonde turned to him, a finger pointed at his face.

"HA! So you admit you don't have one?" He asked as his eyebrows curiously rose.

"Yes! Wait, no! Wait-ugh," Kakashi gave up, hitting his head on the counter in irritation. Naruto cracked up laughing, holding his stomach in pain when a voice called out to him, and making him stop. The sensei raised his head as well, seeing who was coming next.

"Sakura-chan!" When he said her name, her head appeared through the paper kanji, showing her hair pulled into a bun with chopsticks coming out from the bun in that Asian way. She wore a white and red kimono with the tie around it red. Naruto's cheeks turned a bit red as he gazed at her while she sat down next to him.

"What?" She asked, turning her head to her friend. He shook his head and beamed at her, happy that she could come.

"Nothing, you just look awesome!" He complimented loudly, probably letting everyone in the whole village hear. Sakura gave him a thankful smile and gave him a hug.

"Thanks Naruto," She quietly said as she pulled away from him to wait for her friends. Soon, everyone filed in, admiring each other and giving each other compliments. Ino came in with a braid down the side of her head while the rest of her hair was in a bun, just like Sakura's. The last person to come was Sasuke, surprisingly, he actually showed up, wearing black shorts and a black shirt with the Uchiha symbol on the side of the sleeve. A kimono jacket was over the shirt, matched with a white and red bracelet on his right hand.

The things he wore brought out everything on his face, his eyes and his hair. Literally, the girls at Ichiraku's froze as he walked in, admiring his outfit. He took his seat next to Kakashi, only before meeting Sakura's warm, green eyes. Heat rose to his face but he refused to recognize it as blush. An Uchiha did not blush.

"Okay! Ichiraku, get your stuff going!" Naruto said, as he faced the counter, ready to gobble down anything that came his way. Everyone started talking then, about all the things that have happened, laughing and enjoying the ramen.

However, Team 7 by the counter seemed to be the only one not talking. Sakura was eyeing her teammates curiously, as they just silently ate their ramen. Rolling her eyes, she placed her chopsticks down next to her empty bowl and took a deep breath, bringing her stool so that she faced the backs of her teammates. Climbing on it, she put her hands on the seats and waited till they noticed her.

Kakashi was the first, turning around in his seat to see what was going on, then Sasuke who silently did that, and then Naruto was last, holding his chopsticks in his hand.

"What's up?" He asked, eating with the bowl in his other hand. Sakura grinned and leaned forward slightly.

"So, where'd you guys go for your mission? Tell me all about it!" She said excitedly, a flicker of sadness passing in front of her green eyes, before disappearing.

"Hrmmm, okay! I'll go first then!" Naruto volunteered, placing his bowl down.

"Nah, you can just tell her everything," Sasuke said in a low voice, his elbows propped up against the counter.

"Sure! That'll be fun too! Okay Sakura-chan, get ready, cause the mission we went to was soooo amazing! I kicked that ninja's guy's ass so hard he flew up into the air and hit the trees!" Naruto said, his eyes going back to the fight.

"Pfft, you got pounded into the ground idiot." Sasuke quietly commented, his eyes closed and a smirk on his face. A growl was heard from Naruto as he countered it with a comment of his own. Soon the two were arguing, soon getting louder so that the whole restaurant was listening.

"I chased him down faster than you!" Naruto said as he stood up from his seat. Sakura watched this from the spot she was in, dangerously close to the ninja's conversation.

"Well I reached him before you did!" Sasuke retorted back angrily.

"I beat him up way harder than your wimpy attacks!" The Jinjuuriki yelled, pointing at his chest. Then the two of them locked hands and started yelling, seeing who was stronger. Kakashi stood behind them, trying to calm them down, which only got him two ninja's yelling in his face. Kiba cheered Naruto on, while Lee gave courage to Sasuke. Soon the two of them were arguing, seeing who would win. Then in seconds, they were bidding money, laying them down on the table. Tenten watched by the side with a smile on her face, glad that they were all enjoying it.

She saw Sakura's shaking form and thought she was crying when a smile was spread across her face. She wiped tears from her eyes, and took deep breaths. It seems as though she hadn't laughed like that in a while, she thought quietly as she held that happy smile. A bowl was then flying in her direction, and Sakura got off the chair in time so she wouldn't get hit and walked over to Ino's side, still chuckling.

"At least I got them talking again," She said, watching her best friend's knock horns against each other. The restaurant erupted with laughter and Kiba clapped her shoulder, sitting on top of the booth, a grin on his face.

"Yep, you sure did. They'll never stop now." He said with a chuckle, petting Akamaru.

"They sure have changed," Sakura commented with her head in her hand as she watched Kakashi scoot out of the way to the side she was on.

"Sure have," Shikamaru said in an uninterested voice from the corner, sitting with Chouji.

"Naruto sure is oblivious when it comes to you Sakura, or in missions." Ino said in a joking kind of way, putting a hand against the cherry blossom's shoulder. However, those words hit her heart hard, striking it with a knife.

"Haha, yeah," She quietly replied back, her eyes cast down. Ino immediately became quiet and very quietly heard "Great! Look at what you did Ino!", from a whispering Kiba.

"Hey, but we all know that you've changed a lot Sakura," Tenten said kindly, walking over to her side.

"Thanks you guys," She said, meeting her close friend's eyes, seeing absolute compassion and understanding. They were all Jounin now, no longer a Chunin or a Genin in their younger years; they were like Kakashi-sensei now; except without the gray hair and the unpredictable attitude.

Soon, the fight with Sasuke and Naruto was over and Kakashi paid, his wallet completely empty. Everyone piled out of the restaurant and into the streets, all chatting quietly. Sakura was grouped with Kiba, Hinata and Shino while Sasuke, Naruto and the other guys talked with each other. Then Kakashi gathered them together with a clap of his hands.

"Okay guys, it's really late, so get a good night's sleep and I'll see you guys tomorrow," Then he made a hand seal and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Everyone looked at each other and shrugged, saying their goodbye's, soon even Naruto left, leaving Sasuke and Sakura alone in the dimly lit streets.

"Well then, I guess I'll be going then." Sasuke said, turning to make his way back home.

"Yeah, I'll follow soon." Sakura replied quietly, watching him leave.

Tonight was a really fun night, too bad it had to end so soon.

Oblivious

Waving goodbye to Ichiraku I was going to make my way back to my apartment when I heard a whoosh behind me. Whirling around, I whipped a hidden kunai out from my kimono only to find Genma in front of me, with a kunai of his own taken out. He had a toothpick in his mouth as he slackened his stance, smiling. Sighing in relief, I put the kunai away back in my sleeve and smiled.

"Genma," I quietly said with a nod as he nodded back seriously.

"It's been a while since I talked to you Sakura, hope you're doing well?" He asked, his hand on the back of his head in a calm composure.

"Yep! We just had a party, what's up?" I asked, taking the bun out of my hair and holding the sticks in my hand, letting it fall out. Genma was momentarily distracted as the scent of cherry blossoms wrapped around him.

"Oh! Uh, Lady Tsunade wanted to speak with you for a moment." He explained, clearing his throat to avoid the rising blush on his cheeks. Sakura really was a beautiful girl, he guessed that no one else really knew that from her younger years.

"Really? Okay," I replied with a smile. I've wanted to see her since I passed; I wanted to see how happy she was for me. The both of us jumped into the air and headed to the Hokage tower where an exhausted Tsunade sat.

Entering her room, I sat down on the seat by her desk and shook her arm carefully, trying to wake her up. Getting closer, I spotted an empty bottle of sake on the ground, lying on its side. Rolling my eyes, I shook her arm harder, noticing that Genma was still by the door.

"Tsunade-sama," I softly said, patting her face. She groaned and mumbled a few incoherent words before turning her head to the other side. Shaking her arm now, her groaning turned into yelling, getting louder. Knowing what was coming next, I leaped over to Genma and pushed him to the side, also getting in the face of a glass sake bottle.

"Sakura!" I heard Genma yell out before I caught it easily, leaning against the wall, letting a breath out. What faced the both of us next was a cranky Tsunade. Smiling, I put the bottle down in front of the desk and met my teacher's eyes. Once they met mine, she relaxed and blinked away the anger and grogginess.

Gesturing to Genma to come over, he sat down in the seat next to me and gave me worried glances as the Hokage stretched her arms out. Rubbing at her eyes, she smiled at Sakura and leaned back in her chair.

"Ah I'm sorry about that Sakura, now about why you're here. I'm assigning you a mission with Genma so you can have a bit of practice." I met eyes with the shinobi and smiled then turned back to my teacher to listen to her next words.

"I know it's late, but I want you to remember this. I will summon you early tomorrow morning, around 3 in the morning because of the urgency of this mission. And now to the mission, your task is to go to the Country of Lightning and heal one of their top shinobi. They were seriously injured and have no knowledge of the injury he has." As soon as she mentioned "Lightning" the image of the fire element ninja popped back into my head and my shoulder started throbbing again.

"Right, we'll head out tomorrow." I said as Genma and I stood up, preparing to leave.

"Sakura, I'd like you to stay here for a moment," Tsunade called from behind. I froze in place and turned around, sitting back down. I heard the door shut but couldn't hear the receding footsteps she was suppose to hear.

"Now, this person you are supposed to heal; you might know him. Maybe, I'm not sure but I have a feeling that you will. He came by our village one time and you two really bonded while Sasuke and Naruto weren't back yet." The image of the fire element ninja faded and now I couldn't place who I was supposed to remember.

"Be careful, you are a Jounin now and no longer need to be protected. The others know this and will occasionally come to help but, from now on, you have to defend yourself and fight your own battles." I stood up and bowed, deep respect for my master, showing in my eyes.

"Hai!" I said before exiting the room, seeing Genma leaning against the wall waiting.

"Well, want me to walk you back home? It's kind of…late," He said sheepishly, a hand to the back of his neck. Smiling with a glittering look in my eye, I nodded.

"Sure," I replied as we walked side by side in silence. It was a warm and comfortable silence.

Oblivious

Noticing her sudden disappearance of chakra, Sasuke whirled around eyes widened. Before she disappeared suddenly, he noticed another chakra with her. Who was it? Jumping back to the spot where she was before, he glanced around and saw nothing but the light of the moon.

Clenching his fists, he activated his Sharingan and looked around. If someone hurt her, he'd hurt that person a million times over. Jumping up to the roofs of houses, he spotted a small pink headed girl walking through the streets with someone beside her; he wore a Chunin outfit and had a toothpick in his mouth. What was his name again? Genna? Geni? Gen-Genma that's it.

Narrowing his eyes, he deactivated his Sharingan and sat on the roof, one leg out in front of him. His black kimono blew in the breeze as he watched the pair, wanting to be the Chunin that was walking with Sakura.

How much he missed those green eyes of hers, not seeing them for three years, she grew and changed a whole lot, yet the idiot Naruto hasn't noticed one bit except for her massive strength. He didn't want to admit it, but the way she didn't call his name with a "-kun" anymore bothered him.

Maybe she had gotten over her obsession with him?

Scowling, he ran a hand through his hair and sighed, jumping off the roof to head back towards his house.

I guess Sakura really has changed, he thought, listening to the wind in the breeze. He had listened to nature when he was out with Naruto and Kakashi, knowing what was coming. The feeling he got gave him chills up his spine as he pushed open his apartment door.

Just as he shut the door, a white letter slid under the door, hitting his foot. At the same time, a white envelope slid under Naruto's and Kakashi's doors. Naruto was the only one asleep when this happened. Kakashi was awake when the letter slid under his door; he sat up in his bed, his uniform off only with the mask still on.

Sasuke picked up the letter and turned it over, seeing no name. Curiosity getting the better of him, he ripped the back open and pulled out a small letter. Kakashi did the same, picking it up from the wooden floor. The two Jounin's read the note at the same time.

Mission from Lady Tsunade, she will summon you at exactly 3 in the morning. Be there. Someone else you know will be there as well. -Shizune

Although the two of them would know tomorrow morning, they didn't know that what Tsunade had planned for the three of them, how important the mission was that she would assign to them.

Oblivious

He placed the note on the side of his bed, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in front of him. They never usually sent notes unless it was of much importance. With his eyebrows pointing down, he glanced out the window and saw the bright and big full moon, shining in his face.

His attention switched to the picture of his younger Genin students from before on his table. They had posed and he saw Sasuke and Naruto fighting with Sakura to the side, actually posing with a peace sign. A certain guilt hit in at the moment, making him slump down in his bed, closing his eyes.

They had left her behind…Naruto and Sasuke had no idea that the mission they went on would take three years.

Maybe what the three of them did; leaving her behind changed her. Could that be why she's so distant with Sasuke and Naruto? And most of all, her own sensei?

Putting his head in his hands, his mind flashed back to the time where the three of them were leaving. They were heading for the gates when they saw Sakura leaning against the doorpost of the village doors, her eyes distant.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto had said, running over to her. She turned her head, her soft pink hair moving in the breeze. Kakashi could tell that she was sad that she couldn't come; it was that empty look in her eyes. Though he already knew why.

"Good luck on your mission you guys," She said with a nod of her head, the quiet side of her showing. Sasuke and Naruto had nodded in agreement, while he had just smiled and looked at his student.

"We'll come back sooner than you think!" Naruto tried to cheer her up, his hands up in the air. With a conflicting look on her face, he could tell that she was trying hard not to sob, however, a tear streaked down her cheek and she wiped it away, giving her two teammates a hug. They both patted her on the back awkwardly and backed away, small smiles on their faces.

And then, they were off into the air, leaving their only teammate behind. Kakashi's mind went back into the present and he looked up at the clock in his room.

2:10am

Taking a deep breath, he climbed out of his bed and opened his closet, pulling out a Jounin uniform. Quickly slipping it on, he grabbed his packed backpack and came out of his apartment, heading for Naruto's room.

Of course, he was still asleep.

End of Chapter 1

Thanks so much for looking at this story! I'd like to thank icelandgrl and redxcherrie for reviewing! And I thank all the others who put this story on their Alert's or Favorite's list! It really means a lot! I hope you liked this chapter! Please leave a review!

-FallenWing21-