This is my very first fanfic so be patient the story will get better.

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me (I wish they did then these horrible fillers would end)

AN: I don't put any of the suffixes like some writers do. I only put them next to the ones that I have seen in the anime. I don't know how to use them properly. So if anyone does could you teach me plz

Also if there is any OOCness I'm sorry I don't read the manga so I don't know how the characters act.

Prologue

Tsunade looked out of the window of her office and sighed, thoughts of her apprentice plaguing her mind. Sakura had changed so much. It had been seven years since Sasuke had left everything behind (something that the young girl had taken very hard), five years since the gravestone of Uchiha Itachi mysteriously appeared in the Uchiha's graveyard and three years since Sakura had given up waiting for him. She still remembered the day that she realized that the young girl had relinquished the Uchiha's hold on her heart. She had looked so small when she asked the question.

"Sasuke isn't coming back, is he?"

It had broken her heart to give the answer.

"No I don't think that he is."

She had walked out of the room then and hadn't come back to the office until the next day. She had come with a written request to train with different students, weapons from Tenten, Taijutsu from Lee, strategic planning from Shikamaru, advanced medical skills from her and Shizune, illusionary techniques from Kurenai, among others. In the year that had passed she had become one of the most powerful ninjas that the village had to offer. As her teacher, Tsunade could not help but be proud of everything that the young woman had accomplished. Her chakra levels had risen to astounding heights. And she used this chakra in a self invented form of telekinesis. The girl was truly amazing. As her friend though, she was more than a little worried. The girl had given herself body and soul to Konahagakure. She trained nonstop took on the most dangerous missions and spurned all social contact with the world. Even the broken smile that the girl had used to fake when she had first started training her was completely gone. Her nonstop chatter had dwindled down to monosyllables. She now wore her hair in a severe bun at the base of her head saying that the old way got in her way. Somehow Tsunade thought she was talking about more than just the hairstyle. For months she had pondered on what to do to bring back the girls sunshine and now the perfect opportunity presented itself.

Chapter 1

Sakura walked into her sensei's office. She hoped she was being summoned for a new mission. As much as she loved her village she could not take the whispers and constant are you okay's that everyone insisted on. Of course she was okay, she was strong now. She was no longer the stupid girl that she had once been. She knocked on the door of the woman who had taught her so much and become like a mother to her. She was the only one who understood that she did not want to be pestered. She just wanted to serve her purpose as a ninja and live out the rest of her life in piece.

She walked into the room.

"Good morning sensei, did you summon me?"

"Good morning Sakura, yes I did summon you. A new mission has come in and I think it is best suited for you."

"…"

"The hidden village of sand, one of our closer allies, has decided to train more medic-nins. They have requested that we send someone to train their ninjas. The mission will take six months. During that time Shizune will take over your duties at the hospital. Do you accept?"

"When do I leave?"

"The Kazekage would like you to arrive by the end of the week. You can leave whenever you are ready."

"I will leave tomorrow."
She turned to leave.

"Sakura…"

"Take care of yourself."

"I will."

And with that she left in a poof of smoke.

It hadn't taken her long to pack. She had very few possessions. She decided to leave that night. She walked to her parent's house. Usually she wouldn't tell anyone that she was leaving for a mission. If Tsunade wanted people to know that she was on a mission then she could tell tem herself but six months was a long time to be gone and she hated it when her parents worried about her. Knocking on the door she waited to be invited in.

Walking out the door she pulled herself together. That was the only place she still allowed herself to feel. Being surrounded by her mothers' warmth and hugs always broke down her defenses. Apart of her would always miss that.

Deep in thought she bumped into Naruto and Hinata. They had finally gotten together and were now almost inseparable. It was only a matter of time before Naruto popped the question.

"Sakura-chan! Fancy seeing you. Hey come out to eat with us!"

"I can't"

"Eh Sakura-chan why not!"

"Um … Naruto-kun … I think she is on her way to a mission"

"Wow Hinata how did you know are you psychic"

Sakura almost laughed at the look of pure astonishment on Naruto's face. Even at nineteen Naruto had still retained his "boyish charm" as she had once heard Hinata put it.

"No Naruto-kun" she giggled "I am not psychic. I said so because she is carrying a pack and wearing her ninja attire"

"Ahh …so Sakura-chan are you going on a mission?"

"Yes"

"When you come back you must promise to eat ramen with us my treat!"

"Okay"

"You have to come …"

"I would really like it …"

They both paused mid-sentence. Usually they had to drag Sakura out of her home or away from the training grounds.

"Yeah that's great Sakura I can hardly wait I am going to order you the biggest bowl of ramen …"

While Naruto went on and on about ramen Hinata asked her quietly

"How long will you be gone?"

"Six months"

"We will miss you"

"I have to go"

"Bye Sakura" They both yelled in unison.

She walked away waving her goodbyes to her old companions.