The days have drifted by, a new day the same routine. It was getting boring… Sakura sighed as she pushed herself off the railing of the hospital roof. She looked around once more staring at the village. She was 14 now, two more years and Naruto would be back.

While he trained with the legendary Jiraya she trained with Tsunade the slug princess. She began to go towards the door to go back inside the hospital and to start her shift. Her mind wander to her only other teammate; Sasuke. Her love for him had changed over the two years since he had left, she cared for him but did not love him. She resented him but was grateful that he left, if he hadn't she knew she would have never asked the Hokage to train her to make her stronger. She resented him because he broke apart the only family she had left. She never talked about with anyone but Ino. After her parents died she would hang around with team seven more often even getting ramen with Naruto every other day.

No one had known, not even Kakashi, who she hadn't seen since Naruto had left. She remembered it like it was yesterday.

A 12 year old Sakura stood awaiting Naruto to come to the gates of the village so she can say bye and wish him a safe trip. She knew that Jiraya was on the tree to the left of the gate concealing his charka probably trying to be respectful to their goodbyes. She stood next to Kakashi a frown on her face, "Kakashi-sensei…what would happen now?" she asked quietly, the loss of Sasuke was still taking a toll on her. She didn't understand why he had left and why Naruto was now leaving.

"We wait for Naruto to come back." He answered simply. She frowned even more lost In thought. The fact he was here on time and didn't even have his face in a book spooked volumes about their teams situation.

"Sakura-chan!" shouted Naruto as he eagerly waved his hand running forward. He stopped in front of her with a big smile on his face. "Don't get too bored without me! I'll be back before you know it! Then ill get Sasuke-teme back too so you don't worry about a thing!" he shouted and did a thumbs up in her direction. Jiraya took that moment to appear next to his new student with a smile and a nod towards Kakashi.

"But-" Sakura started but was cut off when Naruto hugged her and stepped away.

"But nothing! Ill bring him back for you and ill be stronger next time!" he began to follow jiraya towards the gate eager to check out and start his training. "Ill be sure to write when I can! Bye Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei!" he waved once more towards them and checked out.

"He'll be back soon. Don't worry, Jiraya will take care of him. See you." Kakashi said and puffed away leaving Sakura alone.

She frowned even more. But this isn't what I want. I don't want him to leave and train for four or three or whatever amount of years. I don't want be left behind or alone. She thought as she turned away from the gate and began to head towards her apartment. What the hell does that even mean see you? Does that mean Kakashi-sensei wont train me anymore? He didn't even give me a schedule or any idea what im suppose to do? She sighed out loud frustrated, she looked up from the ground and realized her feet didn't take her to the apartment but the training grounds. She looked and noticed team 8 training and frowned. Kurenai-sensei was fighting her team one on three but none of them noticed the genjustu that she was slowly creating. She titled her head to the side as Kurenai-sensei looked over at her and winked. One by one her team stilled and was trapped she shunshin to Sakura.

"well seems like someone has a knack for genjustu." She said with a smile and a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

Sakura smiled towards the end of her thoughts. After having Kurenai-sensei train her one on one for genjustu she also began to train under Tsunade. She easily mastered the art of healing and perfected her charka control. In reality Sakura would suprass or at least stand on equal footing with her Shishou in the next couple of months she even was storing her charka for her yin seal. The last step in her training. Training that should have lasted four years like Narutos but instead it took her two. She was still training with Kurenai-sensei but not as frequent as before. Her genjustu had improved immensely she still had a couple of things to learn but in reality she would also stop in the next couple of months.

She walked towards her unofficial office. When she turns 16 it will be officially hers and she would run the hospital how Shizune was running it. They would eventually swap places she going to run the hospital while Shizune became Tsunade's full time assistant instead of Sakura and her doing it part time each. She glanced at the full length mirror and took in her appearance.

Her wardrobe had changed dramatically for the better. She now wore red long sleeve shirt that was cropped her family crest still proudly on the back and her fishnet wiring underneath the long sleeved it covered her exposed stomach as well. She wore black cargo pants with a several pockets, her kunai pouch was also black and was stilled tied to her leg, her belt also had several pouches for several things and black heeled boots. She sighed as she turned to open her locker and pulled out the outfit on the hangar.

She frowned and began to change into the new outift. Shizune had a strict rule for professional appearance while being at work in the hospital and the clothes she had purchased for Sakura were not reasonable. A pencil skirt and long sleeve button up and decent sized heels. She always felt so exposed so useless especially if something dangerous would happen. But she sucked it up and only wore it when dealing with appointments and was not schedule for surgeries and if a emergency surgery popped up she can easily put on scrubs.

Her hair had grown out since Naruto had left, it now reached towards he lower back top of her butt. She grabbed it and easily put it in a simple neat bun and slipped on her doctor coat making sure her ID was visible on the pocket. She once more look at herself with a satisfied nod she walked out and a smile plastered on her face as she said her hellos to the nurses before starting her rounds.

TWO YEARS LATER

"I need universal dammit! Unless you find his fucking chart then get me universal blood!" Sakura shouted as the machines kept beeping at her, mocking her. This was the third shinobi brought in, the rest of his team where in far better condition than him. He had taken the blunt of whoever attacked them. Her hands were elbow deep in his chest pumping charka closing arteries left and right before moving to his lungs and fixing the damage.

Several hours passed and she exhausted. She saved him but at what cost…he would just be sent back out and next time who knows if he'll even make it to the hospital. She sat in her chair turning to look out the massive window she requested when she took over. She had taken a liking to Tsunada-Samas view that she wanted one as well. She closed her eyes and breathed quietly focusing on the thousands of charkas signatures before she found the one she was looking for. He was back, she has no idea how long he had been back but he was here.

"What can I do for you boar?" she said she turned back staring at the anbu who stood in her office. "Hokage-sama has requested your presence." He replied before disappearing, she sighed and stretched before going to take a quick shower in the conjoined room she also requested. With how much time she spent in the hospital she requested a full bathroom and simple room attached so she can sleep here on call whenever she need to and to shower after extensive surgeries like today.

After her quick shower she changed into the attire she had taken a liken to since she was 12. She had filled it more allow her curves and flat stomach to show. She quickly put her hair in a high point tail her bangs framing her face and her head band around her neck like how Ino had use to wear it when they were younger. It suited her much more than ino who now wore her hair down slicked back with her bangs still blocking her one eye with her hadband around her thigh.

She left the hospital quicky munching on her protein bar sensing Narutos charka in the hokages office. She quickened her pace knowning they were waiting on her. She walked up the tower quickly knocking on her door awaiting the words enter to be announced as she stepped in.

Sakura looked around the room noticing Kakashi standing off to the side looking at the ground she push down her negative feelings towards the man and looked at Naruto who was shouting excitingly at tsunade about his training, she smiled before looking at Jiraya who looked back at her a twinkle in his eyes that she did not like.

"Shisho you wanted to see me?" Sakura asked as she shut the door and walked further in the room. At the sound of her voice Naruto stopped talking and turned towards her a huge bright smile on his face a blush slowly forming as he took in her outfit.

"Sakura-Chan!" he shouted before reaching for her hugging her tightly spinning around. She smiled even though she felt a pain in her chest.

"Naruto-kun…its been a while"she said as she was finally set on the ground. Naruto's hands resting on her hips as she touched his chest. He has grown well she thought to herself as shee took in his appearance not surprise he still wore orange but at least there was black in there now. She smiled at him as he blushed even more , she stepped back and turned towards Tsunade. She heard Naruto mutter 'Naruto-kun' to himself quietly a couple of times as he smiled softly and looked towards her.

"Sakura, sorry for interrupting you but I have two missions here for you." Tsunade said as she slid the scrolls forward. She saw Kakashi glance at the different color scrolls before looking at her in confusion.

"Baa-chan…why does one have a black ribbon?" Naruto asked as he looked at her and Sakura, Kakashi looked at Tsunade as well awaiting an answer. Tsunade smirked in response, Sakura casually reached forward reading the one with a red ribbon then the black one. Her face neutral as she looked up.

"Hokage-sama their time frame would collide with each other I cannot take both." She said she placed the scrolls on the desk. "Why does Sakura have a black ribbon scroll?" Kakashi asked as he crossed his arms. Sakura frowned but ignored him.

"Sakura is in the room you can ask her Hatake." Tsunade said crossing her own arms leaning back frowning towards the male.

"It seems like Sakura-chan was busy with her own training. Congratulations Sakura-chan." Jiraya said as he smiled towards the pinkette who turned and smiling and nodding towards him as well.

"Her own training?" Naruto asked confused before he turn towards her. "What training were you doing while I was gone?" he asked her directly.

"I started my own apprenticeship under Lady Tsunade along with a few other jounin." She said as his eyes widen looking between the two then at Kakashi.

"What about Kakashi-sensei? He didn't train you?" Naruto responded not reading the room like usual as Kakashi stiffened and Sakura eyes turned cold.

"No. I haven't seen him since you left four years ago." She responded and turned towards Tsunade. "Hokage-sama I cannot take both they will overlap." She said again wanting to leave the room as Naruto began to shout at Kakashi who looked away out the window.

"Take both. Go on a solo mission and meet with your team for the second half. Anbu gear authorized for the first mission. I'll see you in a months time you will leave two days from now. Get your affairs in order." Tsunade said as she opened another scroll this time it had a purple ribbon. She wrote quickly before stamping it and handing it to her. "Send me updates when you are able to." She said as she turned towards Jiraya. "How about a little competition?" she asked with a smile on her face. Jiraya tilted his head and smiled.

"ANBU GEAR?" Naruto shouted in Sakura's ear who quickly covered it with a scrowl oner face.

"Bell test, one bell. Looser buys winner drinks." Tsunade said as she put her hand out and Jiraya immediately shook it. They smirked at each other and immediately stared at Kakashi whos shouders slumped in response.

Training grounds

"Alright this time I have one bell. Whichever student gets the bell their respective teacher wins. Come at me as if it were a mission. Treat it as a life or death situation. You may use anything you want and you can attack each other to remove your opponent and then come for me or both attack me outright to fight for the bell. Questions?" Kakashi said as he held out the bell for them to see.

Naruto eagerly shouted a no while Sakura sighed and sent her Shishou an annoyed looked who smiled in response before both her Jiraya moved further away. Shizune who was not there at the meeting with them being filled in about what had happened prior.

Kakashi tied the bell to waist and moved his head band up closing his eye and opening his Sharingan. Naruto tensed realizing how serious this was while Sakura put on her gloves annoyed and happy that she at least had her basic equipment with her and her small storage scroll that held her dual wield Sai. Even though it was least favorite and she preferred her knuckle blades thoughtfully gifted by Asuma-sensei, she would have to make it work.

Slowly a leaf fell and as it touched the ground the fight began. Without hesitation Naruto had 30 shadow clones appear, 15 and the real Naruto she noticed went for Kakashi while the other 15 faced her.

She smirked at them as they launched forward in taijustu, easily she dodge the first three before grabbing the fourth's hands making a Ox symbol with it before her other hand shot out and punched it in its face launching it back before it popped away. She threw her self back as two came from above kicking the area she was just in.

She made two more hand signals before another Naruto came forwards and she repeated the process of making a hand signal with it and kicking its chest. As it popped she noticed one of the Narutos who was fighting Kakashi turned towards her confused.

She quickly did 4 more hand signals before finishing it off with the ram signal with a smirk all the Narutos stopped frozen she walked past them as they began to run towards Kakashi and Naruto. They quickly launched each other in the air attacking Naruto, his clones and Kakashi.

Sakura continued her walk dodging here and there before standing in the middle studying Kakashis body avoiding his eyes. She launched herself in the air as Kakashi began to fight two clones and the real Naruto before diving towards the ground.

"Shannora!" she shouted as she made impact with one foot before launching herself again in the air to enjoy the chaos of all the clones disappearing Naruto struggling for balance and finally Kakashi who flipped away trying to regain his balance quickly she did more hand signals before taking a deep breath.

As she exhaled she shot out several water bullets all aimed at Kakashi who looked up shock watching her fall to the ground dodging the water. She smirked as she landed and quickly disappeared in the smoke the clones had left behind.

She hid in the trees observing. Naruto who had finally regained his balance began to attack Kakashi once more. She hummed to herself formulating a plan. Finally with a stretched she quickly did more hand signals and slowly breathed out her nose as a heavy mist appeared on the training grounds. Concealing her charka she silently went the ground hearing Naruto and Kakashi battling as she made her way closer she stopped behind a piece of the ground that now stood up vertically the result of her kick to the ground. She did a couple more hand signals before three clones of her appeared. However they were her as a child no more than 6 years old they quickly scattered in the mist.

The small spike in charka went unnoticed by the two males .She laughed to herself quietly as she heard her clones giggle and laugh in different places as Naruto shrieked in fear yelling "Kakashi-sensei!" Working with Torture and Interrogation definitely gave her different ideas to mind fuck a person she thought as she smiled. She sent miniscule charka to her eyes to enhance her vision.

She peered around and happily noticed kakashi's back was towards her and his special eye wouldn't notice her movement till the last second. She advance slowly taking her time before she quickly stood up and grabbed his shoulder hitting the pressure point on his neck with some charka, she hurriedly twisted him around placing him on her shoulder before jumping away. As she landed she quickly got rid of the remaining mist hearing Naruto shout in confusion.

She placed Kakashi on the ground sitting on him making sure he was looking towards Naruto. He was only paralyzed she wanted him to be awake after all to show the student he had left behind not realizing their potential. She wanted him to know that she no longer needed him. That she was this strong without him and all she needed was guidance and someone to push her properly. She wanted him to see one of his star children fall at her hands.

Although she had no hard feelings for Naruto she knew she needed to do this for herself and for them to know she was no longer that sad pathetic love struck child. She was a woman, a kunoichi.

The mist finally cleared up fully and Naruto stood shocked by the fact that a few meters away was Sakura sitting on Kakashi twirling a kunai in her hands as she smirked towards him. He quickly noticed that she had yet to take the bell meaning she wanted to fight him one on one without Kakashi. Whoever stood last would get the bell.

She stood and walked forward a bit away from Kakashi. Waiting for Naruto to move. "Sakura-chan, how about we keep this TaiJustu only?" he asked scratching the back of his head nervously she looked at him confused. "I don't want to hurt you." He said as he laughed awkwardly. She heard Tsunade snort in response as she smiled and put her hands behind her back while putting her Kunai away.

"How about…no?" she said her killing intent leaking out freezing Naruto with how strong and overwhelming it was. As he adjusted to it she darted forward fist pulled back. As she extended Naruto barely had time to move his head, he was breathing hard the wind of her punch caused his hair to fly wildly as he took a step back. She quickly extended her leg to the side round house kicking hitting him directly in the stomach.

He flew back into a couple of trees before he stopped. Sakura stood in the open field awaiting for him to come out. What she wasn't expecting was him to fly out rasengan, she crouch down flashing through hand signs that Naruto couldn't make out as he extended forward a earth style wall appeared he broke through the first two layers easily. However Sakura was not on the other side confused he looked around till he noticed Kakashi's eyes staring up. He quickly looked up moving to the left as Sakura sailed past him.

He stood shocked and confused as she disappeared into the earth as if she melted into it. Next thing he knew several arms popped out clawing at him till he was able to get free moving away from the area just as Sakura reemerged from the ground.

They quickly launched at one another, not trading blow for blow like Naruto thought they would with him pulling at the top as was expected of him. He was breathing a little harder now but Sakura wasn't even phased. Then his arm stopped working. He looked at her with wide frighten eyes before she twirled, crouched and hit his legs in several spots.

That's when he noticed it. She wasn't attempting to punch hum but she was jamming him with two fingers like the Hyuga when they went after Charka points. But instead she was going after his nerves. He fell towards the ground as she stood over him only able to move one arm. He lifted himself as best as he could as she stepped over him walking towards Kakashi. Whos eyes were wide in surprise shock and disgust. Naruto's mouth remained opened.

"W-wait a minute!" Naruto shouted in confusion, he was clearly upset as he attempted to claw his way towards them with his one hand. Sakura stopped walking and looked over her shoulder glancing at him.

"It wasn't suppose to be this way!" he shouted again even as Jiraya walked forward to help him up and Tsunade walked towards her own apprentice a smile on her face. Sakura frowned and continued towards Kakashi reaching down yanking the bell from his belt. She stood and passed it towards her master who smirked at her. Sakura smiled back as both Jiraya and Naruto stared waiting to see what would happen.

Tsunade simply held out the bell by the string and smiled evily towards Jiraya. "Well Jiraya it seems like my apprentice proved to be better than yours. I know the most expensive bar in town that I have been dying to try but my wallet refused to let me. It's a good thing we have yours." Tsunade said happily as Sakura stood leaning on one leg with a hand on her hip behind her.

"Ne…Ero-sennin…woman are scary.." Naruto said out loud as they both looked at the two females who smirked back at them. Jiraya sighed and nodded.

"But they are some damn beautiful creatures." Jiraya said as he wrapped Naruto's arm over his shoulder carrying him to the three ladies as Shizune appeared next to them sending Charka to Kakashi's neck so he can move again.

Sakura walked forward and put her hand on Narutos forehead closing her eyes as she sent her own charka through Narutos nervous system repairing the damage she had done. Charka had never felt so calm and soothing before, he thought to himself as he leaned into her hand enjoying the peace it brought to him. Slowly he regained his body functions and stood on his own.

He opened his eyes as Sakura pulled her hand away he looked at her forehead and finally noticed the diamond on it. He pointed rudely at her face in confusion.

"Baka. Did you just notice her diamond?" Jiraya asked as he stepped away slightly. Kakashi slowly stood as well brushing the dust off of him as he closed his eyes lost in thought pulling his headband back down.

"Baa-chan has one too. What is it?" Naruto asked as he put his hand down looking at Sakura and Tsunade.

"Honestly you pervert what did you teach him?" Tsunade sighed as she launched in explanation the basics of it. Sakura nodded towards Shizune talking to her briefly before disappearing.

"Kakashi, Naruto. You should join us for drinks. I have much to discuss with you concerning the events you missed." Tsunade said as she turned and left heading towards the cheap gambling bar that she visited frequently

::'

::'

Naruto sat inside the bar next to Jiraya as he sipped on some juice not really craving any alcohol as Jiraya and Tsunade sat with Saki and Kakashi with nothing. Shizune had left to take care of some things and to prepare for Sakura's month long departure.

"After you left…Sakura felt very alone.." Tsunade said slowly as she thought back to that day on the training field.

She had only been training the pinkette for a month and she was showing decent progress but nowhere near what she expected her to be at.

"Why are you holding back Sakura?" she asked as she launched another ball forcing the gir lto dodge, her hair a little longer now. "why are you even training if youre not pushing yourself like I know you can?!" Tsunade shouted after she received no response to her first question. Launching two more balls at her.

She stopped as she saw Sakura crying even though she continued to dodge her attacks. Angrily Tsunade walked towards her yanking her collar up and staring deeply into her eyes. "Why are you crying? I told you I wont take a pathetic child under my wing!" she shouted at the girl who frowned, looking angrily at the older woman.

"Because I hate myself and I know theres no potential! If I had it I wouldn't have been left behind!" Sakura shouted breathing hard. Tsunade let her go walking away before looking back and nodding her heads towards her indicating her to follow or get left behind.

Sakura quickly stood following the older woman. She took the time to stare at the ground and gather her thoughts looking up when she noticed that Tsunade had entered a café. It was at the end of the village and looked like no one had come in a long time. She walked in surprise to see an elderly woman at the front. She quickly greeted them and told them to sit anywhere.

Tsunade sat and quickly order something for her and Sakura. Sakura looked around nervously being alone with the Hokage. "Explain." One simple word and it caused Sakura to break down.

She launched into what has been eating at heart. How her parents had died shortly after her first mission in wave where she almost died as well as her team. Her parents had been traveling to Suna with some materials and goods to sell at that market since they were merchants wealthy ones at that. She had offer to go to help protect them and their goods, they had shut her down saying they would prefer higher ranking shinobis. But in Sakuras mind it whispered saying they meant stronger ones. They had left with three chunins and had not returned.

Then she launched into her story of the chunin exams how she was so weak and useless how she was treated and looked at by her teammates then Sasukes departure and Narutos as well. But what hit the worse was Kakashi. He had abandoned her, he never sought for her while she sought for him constantly for three months before asking Tsunade to train her. That the other Senseis would always ask her about hers and Kakashi's one on one training, on how it was going and it proved even more that he had left her too. With no training plan, that he had expected her to become a civilian and be with her non existent parents

Worst of all every time she tried to tell her team and her eyes would get watery they would separate themselves from her not wanting to deal with her emotions or see what was even wrong with her. She felt hollow. She even explained the hate and resentment she started to feel towards them that Naruto had never sent a letter either.

As Sakura finished her explanation and looked at Tsunade with worried eyes. Worried she would be abandoned again. Tsunade merely sighed and sipped her tea. Her own eyes watered, Sakura was depressed, angry, tired, abandoned. She understood her.

Tsunade looked up from her saki and stared at the two males who couldn't even make eye contact.

"Sakura quickly climbed up in rank after that. She easily made Chunin. Then she was promoted to jonin and finally Anbu, at the age of 15 she was one of the more sought out Anbu members. Pulling her from the hospital is always hard considering the missions she had to go on." Tsunade continued sipping her Saki. "she devoted herself to training the first two years. She trained under anyone that appealed to her goal and would improve her fighting style. Kurenai, Asuma, Anko, Kotetsu, Inoichi Yamanaka, even tortute and interrogation ."

Naruto's hands shook as he listened. Yeah he had forgotten to write her letters it was an honest mistake he had so busy traveling and training. He looked towards Kakashi wondering what his excuse was.

"shes no longer the young child you had left behind. Shes a woman, a kunoichi" she empashized that word as she stared at the both of them. "Team seven is no more." She said as she held up her hand stopping Naruto from shouting. "Sakura has different responsibilities now and you need to move up in rank before doing any missions with her. Kakashi hasn't worked with her in four years and never requested updates on her but on you. He has already abandoned his leadership and his responsibility towards her if you ask me or her." She said as she poured herself more saki. Kakashi stood and left their table as Naruto slowly stood and followed after him in shock.

"A little harsh don't you think Tsunade-hime" Jiraya asked as he swirled his saki before taking a sip. She scoffed In response."

Ill be damned if they do anything to damage or insult the hard work she has put into herself to be the person she wanted to be. Naruto came close to it already, I refuse to let it happen" she said as she crossed her arms swallowing more of cup before refilling hers and Jirayas. "This also doesn't count towards our bet. After all I said expensive bar" she smirked as he groaned.