Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

THE NEXT DAY:

When all was said and done, the Akatsuki were officially removed from both Konoha and Suna's bingo books. Orochimaru was declared dead and the Sound ninja that were still alive were either killed or gave their allegiance to another village. Sound was no more. That was just politically.

The Akatsuki settled in Konoha, though Kisame was planning to head to the Land of Waves and open a ninja bar next to the ocean. Itachi had gone to his ANBU locker, taking Kakashi and Sasuke with him. They were there now, standing in front of Itachi's locker.

"Kakashi."

The silver-haired ninja had his hands shoved in his pockets. There was a silver chain around his neck, Sakura's Akatsuki ring peeking out from under his shirt. Itachi held out a key, pressing it into Kakashi's hand.

"Sakura asked me to give this to you…should the worst happen."

Itachi set about opening his own locker, his younger brother standing next to him comfortingly. The Uchiha's were well on their way to being the brother's they once were. Itachi was about to offer his brother proof of his innocence and Sasuke had long been over the obsession of avenging his clan. He was much more focused on reviving his clan with a certain pale-eyed, indigo-haired Hyuuga heiress.

Kakashi gazed at the key in his hand. It was silver and rather small, though there was room for the number of the locker on it. Her ANBU locker, Kakashi realized. He left the brothers, walking down the hall to where he knew Sakura's locker was located. Her locker was the last place he saw her before she defected, the silver-haired ninja realized. The irony, he thought dryly.

Once at her locker, he paused before pressing the key into the lock. Twisting it once, he pulled out the small silver object and then pressed his chakra into the door. He was hoping it would accept his chakra and wasn't disappointed. Opening the door, he gazed into the locker. It was much neater than his was. There was an emergency kit, a change of clothes, and her ANBU gear. There was also a scroll containing all her missions. However, what caught his eye was a scroll taped to the inside of the door.

"What…"

He gently removed it, leaning down to pick up the piece of paper that fell from behind it. Opening it, he scanned what it said, trying to ignore the pull at his heart when he realized it was in Sakura's handwriting.

Dear Kakashi,

If you're reading this, it means I'm gone. For that I'm sorry. I love you so much and it was never my intention to hurt you or any of my friends. In fact, everything I've done since seeing you last has been in your best interest.

This scroll contains the Elders' last orders before I killed them. Part of me wants you to read this scroll and know the truth. Yet the reasonable part of me knows you should burn it and never let it reach the light of day.

I know you though. So all I ask is that you do what you think best with the information I've given you. And always remember I love you even in death.

Love,

Sakura

If Kakashi was a lesser man he would have cried on the spot. Instead he tucked the note in his pocket along with her locker key. Then he uncurled the scroll in his hands and read it. When Sasuke and Itachi walked up, both talking quietly and with small smiles on their faces, Kakashi was staring at the scroll as his jaw clenched angrily.

"Kakashi-sensei?"

Snapping the scroll shut with a quick twist of his wrist, Kakashi swept out a hand and gently closed Sakura's locker door. Then he turned to the Uchiha brothers, visible eye glowing in rage.

"Let's go see Naruto."

WITH NARUTO:

When Kakashi and Sasuke had returned with the Akatsuki in tow and Kabuto's body, the current Hokage didn't know what to think. He had the body examined, confirmed it was Orochimaru's vessel, and then granted the Akatsuki rights to live in Konoha. Sure, they were under house arrest for an unknown time, but Naruto still considered it a fair deal. When he learned Sakura had disappeared, he set up search parties. He had just sent out a new one with the clear instructions that if they found her, they were to bring her in with minimal harm. He missed his sister.

"Naruto."

The blue-eyed Hokage looked up from his paperwork, smiling slightly when he saw it was his old sensei. He had the Uchiha brothers in tow and it seemed as if they were getting along fine now. Naruto was happy for his childhood friend. Kakashi tossed him a scroll, which he caught and opened.

"What's this Kakashi?"

As he read the text, he found his answer. Clenching his jaw in anger, he stood from his chair and began to pace furiously.

"If those kamidamned bastards where still alive, I'd slaughter them!"

"Slaughter who, kid?"

Naruto whirled on his heel, rolling his eyes at the figure in his open window.

"Pervy-sage! Can't you use a door like a normal person?"

"I'm a ninja kid. Where's the fun in using a door?"

Naruto snorted. Jiraiya climbed in, walking over to Itachi and clapping him on the shoulder.

"Good to see you back where you belong."

"Thank you Jiraiya-sama."

Forever polite, Jiraiya thought. Just then the door opened and another sannin walked in. Naruto almost groaned but held it in, rubbing his forehead viciously. This was to much to deal with.

"Hey Tsunade-baa-chan!"

"Shut it toad."

Tsunade took a seat, nodding her hellos to the ninja gathered in the room. Naruto collapsed back into his chair, resting his forehead in his palm as his free hand massaged his neck. Tsunade raised a brow at him.

"Finally figure out what a hassle it is to be Hokage?"

"Umph."

All chuckled at the reaction. Jiraiya turned to the current Hokage, his old pupil.

"So who do you want to kill?"

"Oh, the Elders."

Tsunade's brow furrowed.

"I thought Sakura…"

She trailed off, biting her nail. Her former apprentice, her daughter, had gone rogue. It was still hard to believe. Naruto nodded and tossed Tsunade the scroll Kakashi had given her. The blond sannin read it over, the famous tick appearing over her brow as her anger grew.

"I wish they were still alive so I could pummel them!"

Kakashi nodded, a slight growl escaping from his lips.

"My sentiments exactly."

Sasuke held up a hand.

"Okay, what's going on?"

"I believe they are discussing the Elders ordering Sakura to eliminate the Kurama clan and become a missing nin."

Everyone turned to Itachi, Tsunade stepping closer to him and pointing a finger at his face. The eldest Uchiha blinked.

"Are you telling me you knew about this, Uchiha?"

"I had my suspicions but Sakura never confirmed them. She was more guarded about her secrets than even I."

Jiraiya snorted.

"That's hard to believe."

Itachi seemed ready to retaliate but the door burst open and Hinata came in, cheeks flushed and breathing heavily. Sasuke went to his love, grasping her hand.

"Hinata? What's wrong?"

"S-sakura! They found Sakura!"

Naruto stood up, pushing his chair out and walking out of the room. Hinata followed him, hand still gripping Sasuke's and thus tugging him along with her. The others followed, Itachi and Kakashi almost directly behind Naruto.

"Neji-niisan was taking her to the hospital. Sai-san and Kiba are with them."

"The hospital?"

Hinata nodded, squeezing Sasuke's hand. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles reassuringly. Hinata broke away from the group, murmuring to Sasuke she was going to get Ino. He nodded, following the group to the hospital. Naruto was first through the door, Hokage coat billowing around his ankles in his movement.

"Where is she?"

Sai approached him, grasping his shoulder.

"Naruto."

"Sai."

Kakashi stepped up.

"Is she alright?"

Sai shook his head, eyes finding Tsunade's.

"She needs your healing expertise Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade nodded, shrugging out of her jacket and handing it to Jiraiya before following Sai to Sakura's location. The others went to follow them but were stopped by Kiba.

"You'll just make it harder for Tsunade to heal her."

The area around Kiba's eyes were slightly swollen.

"Is she in bad shape Kiba?"

The dog-nin could do little more than nod. Kakashi collapsed into a chair, Sasuke taking a seat next to him. Itachi left, probably to alert the rest of the Akatsuki. Kiba left sullenly, rubbing at his eyes. Akamaru followed him in silence, tail and ears dropped low. Kakashi leaned forward, leaning his elbows on his knees and resting his head in his hands. He was prepared for a long wait. And wait he did.

THE NEXT DAY:

The hospital was much calmer than the day before. The Hokage was back in his tower, working on the never ending paperwork. Itachi and Sasuke were out having lunch with Hinata. Only one remained in the hospital, the one that needed to be there the most. He hadn't left and he was soon well rewarded for his diligence.

In one hospital room a pink-haired kunoichi rested in the bed, hair spilling over her shoulders and framing her face. There was a lovely pink hue to her cheeks and lips, the color of healthy skin. Beneath her eyelids, eyes moved rapidly as she began to wake. Delicate eyelashes fluttered gently as her eyes opened, revealing stunning emerald orbs bright despite just waking.

The kunoichi blinked slowly a few times, gaze turning to the shinobi resting beside her bed. His head was lying on the bed, spiky silver-hair spilling onto her sheet-clad thigh. His breath was warm on her hand, which lay entwined with his next to his face. She took a moment to appreciate the soft glow that seemed to surround him in sleep as well as the delicate curve of his cheekbone.

"Kakashi…"

Lifting her free hand, she began to run her fingers through his hair, smiling softly at the silky quality. In a matter of minutes the shinobi began to wake, one eye opening quickly. Immediately he sat up, using his free hand to first tug down his mask and then grasp the kunoichi's face as he kissed her. They pulled apart a few moments later, their foreheads resting against each other's as they breathed in sync.

"I love you Sakura."

END OF STORY

This was really short. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the story. Sorry if the ending wasn't what you had in mind but I actually kinda like how I ended it this time. Basically, Sakura is allowed back into Konoha and she and Kakashi live happy ever after. ;) Thank you for sticking with me through this story! It means a lot.

Review as a goodbye gift?

Eris-R-Renee