Hi everyone! A shorter chapter this time. Hope you enjoy!

I don't own Naruto

A band of light shown through the apartment window, illuminating Sakura's tear streaked face. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking as they adjusted to the harsh light. She sat up, shielding her face with her arm. She swung her slender legs off the side of the bed and stood sleepily. Still groggy, she stumbled over to the window and whipped the curtain closed, sealing her bedroom in darkness once more. She muttered something not completely coherent about hating mornings and fell back into bed, pulling the covers over her head. She closed her eyes, completely intending to go back to sleep. However, as her body relaxed she realized the damage was done and she was wide awake.

Groaning, she rolled over, planning to stay in bed until her mind was clear enough to function for the day. But suddenly the memories from the night before came rushing back to her all at once, making her gasp. She ripped the covers off, running to her bathroom and slamming the door behind her. Now that she remembered her encounter with Kakashi, the sadness hit her like a ton of bricks. The tremors she left behind in sleep hit her again as she attempted to splash water on her face. She grabbed the edge of the sink, feeling ill again. She took a deep breath. And then another. She looked up in the mirror at her strained face. She noted the bags under her eyes and the blood vessel she had popped in her right eye.

Sighing, she turned to her shower. She felt dirty, having laid in the street for so long. She climbed in, pulling her pale blue curtain shut and turned on the water. It came out icy cold but she barely felt it. It was like her whole body was numb. Soon it turned warm and reluctantly she began her usual routine. She knew she had a shift at the hospital today but there was no way she could go. She would tell them she was sick and it wasn't far from the truth. She may be a medic but she couldn't heal heartbreak. If she could, she would've done it long ago.

She knew she was being stupid, being so upset over Kakashi being with some other woman. Hell, he didn't even know she felt that way about him. But some part of her had hoped he had felt the same for her that she did for him. Walking in on it had been a shock to her system and it had hurt even more than if she had found out some other way. Kakashi had been the one person lately she thought she could never get sick of being around. But if he walked in her door right now she doubted she'd be able to stomach it.

When she was done washing she stood under the hot water until it ran out. Then, reluctantly, she got out, planning to head back to her bed and stay there for the rest of eternity. It wasn't until she had toweled dried and pulled pants on that she remembered the scroll. She froze as the information flooded her brain. She had been so preoccupied with Kakashi that she had forgotten why she had even gone to his apartment in the first place. Where she had been planning to wallow in misery for the for-seeable future she now had an agenda. Changed from sweats to her regular attire she practically ran back into her bedroom. She brushed her teeth and hair at record speed. She then went to her kitchen and yanked open a drawer. Inside were paper and pens. She grabbed a few sheets and sat down.

She picked up a pen and tried to calm her shaking hand. It had to look as though she wasn't in a rush. She began writing, taking care to word each sheet carefully. At the bottom she signed her name and folded the paper. On the front she wrote the name of whomever the paper was for and continued on to the next one. She got to the last one and hesitated. Deciding quickly, she jotted a brief message down and did the same as with the others. When she was done she glanced at the clock. It read 4:17PM. It would still be a few more hours until it was dark. That was good, she decided.

She went to her room and dug out her pack. It had been some time since she had left the village. She carefully went through her things, hand picking what she would need most. She tried to judge the right amount of stuff but the trouble was she didn't know when she would be back. Lastly she rummaged through her closet and pulled out her picture of team seven. She stared at it for a long time. Finally, she smiled and a new hope filled her chest. She took it out of the frame and folded it up. She placed it in bag so she could look at it from time to time.

As she finished up she glanced out the window. She had been packing for some time she realized as the sun was almost set. She picked up her pack and went over to her dresser. She kept her savings in the top drawer on the left. She pulled out the wad of money and sat on her bed to count it. It was all she had ever saved since before Naruto left. She divided the money in half and put half with the note for Tsunade and the other half she put deep in her bag. It was enough to get her through in an inn or hotel for a long time.

The half she planned to leave with Tsunade was to hold her apartment. She had already paid for the next two months in advance but she had a feeling she would be gone for much longer than that. In her note, she had told Tsunade to pay for the apartment until the money ran out which would be about 6 months. After that, her lease was up and she instructed her to sell her things if she weren't back by then. If for some reason this trip went quicker than she planned, she wanted somewhere to call home when she came back. And if not, it couldn't be helped.

She went to the kitchen and started emptying food that could spoil out of her fridge and cabinets. When she was done her shelves looked bare. They hadn't been that empty since she moved in. She threw a couple protein bars and packs of crackers into her bag along with her canteen. As she packed it up, she smiled. Naruto had gotten it for her as a birthday present. It was metal but it was painted beautifully. It had a lily painted on the front and the background was a light yellow. Since then it had seen much use and the paint was starting to wear away, revealing the silver metal underneath. Still, it brought back happy memories.

When she was done and everything was thrown away and unplugged, she took a last look around. This was the first place she had on her own and it held a special place in her heart. She grabbed her key off the hook and stepped out the door, locking it behind her. She placed the key above the doorframe like she had told Tsunade in her note. By now it was dark and the street lights were on. It wasn't late enough for people to be in bed yet and a few were walking casually down the street. She shouldered her pack and began heading for the Hokage tower. As she made her way there, she got an idea and switched course.

She walked slowly, watching her village settle down for the night. Normally she was in a rush and never took time to appreciate the beauty of it. The buildings were mostly all old with intricate architecture. The people she passed were laughing among each other, happy smiles on their faces. It was warm and children walked with their mothers, oogling the shops as they passed. The smells of the restaurants and stands she passed were divine and she knew she would miss the cuisine.

She took it all for granted most of the time, the comfort of home. Only when she got back from long missions did she ever really appreciate it. A small smile spread across her face as she reached her destination. Ichiraku stood bright and lively against the emptying street. She walked up and took her usual seat. The young woman, Ayame, greeted her politely by name got to work making her favorite ramen. She folded her arms on the counter as she waited. Ichiraku was a place she normally avoided but it was one of the places she missed when she is away from home. It made her sad to come here after Naruto left but once in a while she still stopped. She felt it was right to stop tonight before she left considering she wouldn't be home for a while.

Ayame placed the steaming bowl in front of her. The smell made her stomach growl. Up to this point she had been feeling queasy, the prospect of her travels and the events of the previous night weighing on her. However, she hadn't eaten since lunchtime the day before and she needed energy to get far from the village by the next morning. She didn't think the Hokage would send a party looking for her but she couldn't be sure. She had to cross the Land of Fire's border as quickly as she could manage. She ate slowly so when she was done the streets where quiet and deserted. She paid for her meal and with a friendly smile she set off.

Now she headed to the Hokage tower, determination setting in with every step.

Tsunade awoke in the morning with a pounding headache. Groaning, she sat up, clutching her head. She had gotten drunk the night before and Shizune practically had to drag her to her room. She pressed some chakra into her head at her temples, relieving the pressure for the headache some. She stood, looking at the time. It was much later than she intended getting up. As usual.

Shizune used to try and wake her but had long since given up. Tsunade was feisty in the morning and there were more than a couple times Shizune had very nearly received a kunai to the face, chest, back or throat. She had narrowly avoided each outburst but decided it was best if she didn't push her luck any longer. Now she just waited patiently in the Hokage's office with a hot cup of tea and some form of breakfast.

Tsunade quickly groomed herself in her bathroom mirror, telling herself she would shower later. She slipped into her usual outfit and headed out the door. She approached her office and noticed with annoyance that there was more than one chakra signature waiting for her inside. She pushed her way inside, not even bothering to greet whoever was waiting for her. She went to her desk and reached for the steaming cup of tea. Once the cup was drained she looked up to meet the eyes of those who required her attention.

Her brow raised in surprise that it was Kakashi standing before her at this hour of the morning. Behind him stood Shizune, Tonton in her arms. On both of their faces were serious looks. Tsunade brow furrowed. She became instantly concerned, her early morning mood shifting to a serious one. In half a second she went from being a hungover woman coming into work to the serious and concerned leader of the village. She stood, resting her hands on the desk, trying to prepare for whatever news they were about to give her.

"Well? Let's hear it," she said, a sour tone to her voice.

Kakashi stepped forward, holding out a folded piece of paper for the Hokage to take. She reached out and grabbed it, perplexed. On the front was Kakashi's name written in large, neat script. The Hokage's brows furrowed. She quickly opened the page and found the same familiar writing on the inside. It was short and to the point but Tsunade's heart flipped. The note read:

Kakashi,

I'm sorry about the other night. If you're reading this, I'm already gone. I am going to look for Naruto. Don't come after me.

Sakura

Tsunade re-read the letter a few more times. Finally, she swore, crumpling the paper in her hand. 'Damn you, Sakura,' she thought. She knew Sakura was having a hard time without Naruto but she had thought the girl was coping better with Kakashi around. She had tried to keep the copy-nin around because Sakura was much happier when he was. But it looked as though it wasn't enough. Then Tsunade got worried. Sakura had said, 'Sorry about the other night."

She glanced up at the silver haired man in front of her. He had a look on his face she'd rarely seen. He looked pained, his eye bloodshot from obvious lack of sleep. Something has obviously been bothering him. Then she knew.

"Kakashi, what happened between you and Sakura?" She asked sternly.

Kakashi ran a hand up through his silver hair. His eye became clouded with emotions. It was a while before he found words. Finally, he managed to speak. "She… The other night. I went out with
Genma and had a few drinks. I thought it would be good for m but.."

He struggled, getting choked up. Tsunade was taken aback. Kakashi was not an emotional person. Whatever had happened between him and Sakura must have been bad. The Hokage took a seat, resting her elbows on the desk. She motioned for him to continue.

He took a deep breath and sighed. "She had come by my apartment urgently that night. But… I wasn't exactly.. Alone." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Tsunade closed her eyes and nodded. That explained it. Sakura left to get away from Kakashi. She had known about her student's feelings toward the older man for some time. Sakura didn't know she knew, but she had a good eye for those types of things. She had a feeling Kakashi felt the same and figured it was only a matter of time before they realized it themselves. But it seems things took a much different route.

It made sense to her, though. Kakashi was the only string attaching her to Konoha and keeping her away from Naruto. If it wasn't for him Tsunade knew she would've left a long time ago.

Shizune stepped forward, drawing Tsunade's attention to her. She had another note in her hand, this one with the Hokage's name on the front. She took it and opened it carefully. Now knowing what to expect, she read the note slower, taking in all the details. This one read:

Tsunade,

I am sorry to do this to you without any notice. I will be leaving the village tonight to find Naruto. I know I am needed in the hospital and on missions but this is something I must do. I hope you'll understand. I left in the middle of the night so that I couldn't be talked out of going.

I just wanted to assure you that I am alright. I don't want you to worry. I have all intentions of coming back to the village as soon as I can. Though it will not be for some time. I can't promise I will be bringing Naruto back with me. I am going to try but you know how he is.

I left money at my apartment to cover my rent until my lease is up. If at that time I am not back, I want you to sell what you can and trash the rest. The key is above my front door on the door frame.

I already said not to worry but there's something I need for you to know. This is very important. It won't make much sense to you now but I promise I will explain everything when I return. I am going to try to locate Sasuke through any means necessary. It is of importance that if you receive any word of my whereabouts, whether I am injured or not, do not send a team to help and/or find me. I WILL try to evade any pursuant you send and will not go willingly. Please, Tsunade. I am asking you for a favor, as a friend. I must do this alone. Try to understand.

No matter what you hear about me, you need to know I am loyal to Konoha to the very end. Everything I am doing is in the best interest of the village, even if others don't agree. I will not be contacting you after this letter. Know I will be thinking of you and everyone I left behind. This is goodbye for now.

Again, I'm sorry.

Sakura

Tsunade stared at letter in her hands, hardly believing what she was reading. Sakura just left and was not coming back in the foreseeable future. She laid it down carefully and closed her eyes. She did trust Sakura but what the hell was going on? It made sense that she would want to find Naruto and escape Kakashi but… What was all this with Sasuke? For all they knew he was dead. What was really troubling was that it seemed like Sakura thought she could possibly become injured. It was always a possibility in enemy territory for shinobi. But to prepare for it had Tsunade thinking she was going somewhere dangerous. The problem was she had no idea where that could be.

She looked up at the two standing in front of her, obvious worry plaguing their expressions. She stood tiredly and made her way to the window. She knew she didn't look her age but at this moment she sure felt it. She stared out over the rooftops of the village who depended on her. She would do what Sakura asked because she trusted her and loved her like a daughter. But because she loved her, it made it that much harder not to send people after her. She sighed, feeling the weight of her troubles pressing down around her.

She spoke with a slow, tired tone to her voice. "Sakura will be alright. For now, we just have to have faith in her. She needs to do this for her own sanity. We will not be sending anyone after her." 'For now,' she thought to herself. She heard Kakashi's sharp intake of breath before the slamming of the door behind him. She knew he would take it hard. He may have messed up but he loved Sakura, she knew it. She supposed that it made it even harder for him to accept because he messed up. She felt badly but there was nothing she could do.

Shizune walked up beside her and put a hand on her shoulder, reassuringly. "She'll be alright. She tough, just like her teacher." Tsunade could only hope that she was right.

Kakashi went to the old bridge team 7 used to meet on. He didn't dare go home for fear he would trash his belongings out of anger. He knew his rage at the Hokage was misguided but he didn't care. He had expected her to send him to find Sakura with his hounds, not stand by and do nothing. He was truly mad at himself more than anything. He realized he was a fool for believing Sakura didn't have feelings for him. He could see it now, clear as day. The way she would blush when he complimented her, how she would fidget when he sat too close, and especially how she came to him about things that were bothering her. He had just written them off as her being nervous around him because he was her teacher. But then why would she come to him with any problems she had if that were the case? He had written this off as she felt comfortable after all they had been through.

None of it fit together when he laid out the facts. It should have been obvious. If it had been any other woman, he would've picked up on it. He like to think of himself as an intuitive person which made it harder for him to accept that he had missed it. When he had realized, that night at his apartment, he had immediately kicked the girl out of his house. He had brought her back with him on a drunk impulse. It was stupid, he knew. He just wanted to get thought about the rosy haired girl out of his mind so that he didn't ruin their relationship. But it ended up ruining it more, as it turned out. The next day he had been so beside himself with shame that he didn't dare find her. Had he known he wouldn't have time to apologize he would've sought her out. But now it was too late and she was gone and he couldn't tell her how he felt.

It was maddening. Finally figuring out the woman who you've been secretly falling in love with, loved you back. But only finding out because you royally fucked up. Life was ironic like that. He was so aggravated he could scream and cry at the same time. And on top of it all, he was worried sick. He knew it wasn't all because of him that she left. He was certain that the night she had come to his apartment; she had found something else in the Hokage's library. He was sure of it. Whatever it was, had her concerned. He saw it in her face before she had realized what was going on.

Truly his heart was broken. Whatever relationship they had had crumbled when she left. His heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces. He had let her down and he hated himself for it. Even as he sat there, his anger was turning into devastating sadness. It was not a new feeling for him but he still wasn't used to it. He knew he didn't deserve someone like her. Miserably, he decided he would have to let her go. 'She deserves someone who will cherish her, not someone who takes home cheap bar whores,' he thought to himself. As he stared into the depths of the water below, a single tear rolled down his cheek and was swallowed up by the river below.

Sakura kept running. She knew she couldn't go on much longer but she had to get as far as she could. She wanted to think Tsunade would respect her request but also knew there was still a chance she wouldn't. Sakura dreaded the thought of having to face Konoha shinobi and risk being classified a traitor. But she would do what she had to do. This had to be done.

She ran on and on, through dense forest, then flowing fields, along boulder lined cliffs, and on top of a fast flowing river. Finally, her chakra was nearly depleted. She stepped off the top of the water surface and looked around. The burn in her legs couldn't be ignored any longer. She plopped down on a patch of grass and took out a protein bar. She had it out of the wrapper and swallowed within seconds. She noticed there was an overhang to the cliff above her a few feet away. Slowly, she eased her muscles into a standing position again. She dragged her pack along, into the shade and managed to sit back down. That was about all she did before exhaustion took over.

Feeling fairly confident the river would take away any trace of her scent, she eased her back against the stony cliff wall and fell asleep.

She awoke some time later to the crack of thunder overhead. She opened her eyes as a bolt of lightning lit up the dark night sky. She was thankful that she had moved into shelter because the rain was pounding down heavily. It was pitch black out with the moon lost far behind the storm clouds. She could barely make out the river not far in front of her. If she couldn't hear it, she might have thought it disappeared. The only light source was the occasional flash of lightning.

Pulling her knees up to her chest, she winced. It must have been some time since she had fallen asleep because her muscles were stiff. She placed her hand on one thigh at a time, allowing a small flow a chakra to seep in and soothe the muscles and rid them of some of the lactic acid that had built up from her intense run. She was grateful for her medical ninjutsu then, having soothed her legs enough to be able to stand. Feeling pretty hidden under the overhang plus in the dark, she stripped off her outter laying of clothing. She laid them out in the rain for a while, allowing the cool water to wash away the sweat and dirt she had accumulated during her journey.

In the morning she planned to take a quick dip in the river if the current was safe enough. For now she was content with the cool stormy breeze against her skin. She sat in the dark for a while, listening to the rain fall on the river. The sound of water had always soothed her. It was rare to have storms at home in the heart of the Land of Fire. But every once in a while it would pour. Those were her favorite days.

She allowed herself to think about those she left behind now. She felt guilty leaving so quickly but it couldn't be helped. She was quite certain she couldn't handle seeing Kakashi before she left. She knew she would have to forget about her feelings for him. She felt stupid for thinking she had a chance with him in the first place. Why would he want a little girl like you when he could easily have anyone in the village? She had thought to herself during her journey. She couldn't help but feel like she was still the naïve little genin girl she used to be.

After a while, the storm began to fade and not long after the sun began to rise. She stood and stretched, stepping out in the early morning sunlight. She watched as the river roared past, swollen from the heavy rain, and decided against trying to bathe in it for fear she would be swept away. She did clean herself up the best she could and then pulled her damp clothes over her head.

Sitting on the ground, she dug through her bag. She pulled out the map she had packed and began searching it. She found her approximate location pretty easily. Somewhat surprised, she noted she had traveled even farther than she had originally thought. It made sense she had crossed over the fire border and was nearing Kusagakure. The land was known for having many deep ravines with rivers, such as the one she was in now. She thought it had looked familiar, as she was pretty sure she was near the Tenchi Bridge. She remembered it from their mission to trick Kabuto into thinking he was meeting with Sasori.

It was exactly where she wanted to be. Konoha shinobi wouldn't cross over the border so as long as she didn't run into any Hidden grass shinobi, she was good. It was her intention to avoid all hidden villages if possible. She wasn't wearing her leaf headband but she knew she was easily recognizable. She assumed by this time her name would probably be in many bingo books and she wanted to avoid unnecessary confrontation. She charted a route she could take to her first destination, memorizing it before putting the map back into her bag. As she did, she opened the front pouch. She took out the folded picture and opened it. She stared at her teammates faces with determination.

She placed safely back in her bag when she was done. 'Wherever you are, I will make things right and bring you home. I promise.' She said as started on her way.

As always, thank you so much for reading.

Next chapter we find out more about Sakura's plan. Stay tuned!

Reviews? Please and thank you!