EDIT: [2-22-11] I am planning to redo the first and second chapters because my writing skills randomly heightened during the third chapter because I began to spend more time on this fanfiction during that time. haha! Oh, and just to let you know, this is/was my first fanfiction (but that doesn't mean it fails). (lol! I've just posted Chapter 27 of this last week!) Thank you so much for choosing to read "Clay Hearts" …It really does mean a lot to me! R&R! =] …Oh, also, the word count of the original chapter one was 2,683—not including author notes, disclaimers, or title and chapter information. New chapter one word count (including only the actual story part like before): 3879

Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto or any of the character's in here. Masashi Kishimoto owns it all… and, oh, how I envy him. XD

My Ramblings: soooo… this chapter seems a bit short to me. i'm pretty sure that it'll be longer in the upcoming chapters. annnd i'm not sure how many chapters there will be… hmmmmm. i'm one to make my short stories long. haha ;D annnd deidara will have an appearance in the next chappie… I pwromise. x3

Clay Hearts

Chapter One:

A Time to Rest

"Really?" I asked, hardly believing my ears.

"Yes, I'm not one to lie. I—Don't give me that look!" my dearly loved mentor and Hokage shouted as I immediately erased the pointed expression I had on my face. Although my Inner smirked. Tsunade lies all the time—especially when she's talking to a certain Naruto Uzumaki.

"Don't judge me," she muttered, averting her eyes as if she felt the least bit guilty, "That boy deserves to be lied to."

I laughed softly, "Maybe sometimes." Naruto was the kind of person that would always try to find out things and in this way, he'd learn something he shouldn't. Sometimes lies are needed to be made up. (His "surprise" birthday party still gives me headaches.)

Tsunade gave me a smile, "But back to what I was saying before." Her fingers found their way into forming a triangle, the point of said shape hovering just below her nose. "How does the idea sound to you?"

Only a few moments ago had the Hokage explained it to me. I was to take a month of two off: a rest from all my work. She said I deserved it, especially after all the time I have put into the hospital and village. (I do tend to work a lot and supposedly, by Ino and Naruto's standards—which really isn't saying much, I'm a workaholic.)

"I don't want you to turn into an old hag like me," she had said. I smiled at that and had reassured her that she wasn't an old hag. It's extremely hard to believe when she uses that "eternal youth" jutsu or whatever it is. "I agree that I do need a rest, but…"

"'But' what?"

"But I'm needed here! And my needs aren't as great as Konohagakure's," I stated.

Tsunade's brow scrunched together. "Your needs are more important if I say it's more important," she said firmly. My lips curved into a smile. Tsunade is the Hokage. Her whole point of being here is to care for the needs of—and protect—the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Contradicting much?

"So?" she inquired, breaking me out of my train of thought.

"O-Okay," I mumbled. I was still unsure about leaving Konoha—and its hospital—behind. And what about the people? What if they need me here? What if the patients need me? (Oh, crap. Maybe my blonde best friends are right.)

The Hokage threw me a warm smile, "I thought so." Her face, though, soon returned to its normal, stern look. "Now we need to lay some things down. For example: what to bring, where you're going… those kind of things. Rules, of sort."

Rules? I spoke up, asking, "Where am I allowed to go then?"

"Wherever, really," she said simply. "However, I'm sure that you wouldn't want to venture into any enemy lands."

"I wouldn't call it much of a vacation then," I said with an airy chuckle.

"I'm sure. Now, obviously, you can bring anything you want. It's not my place to decide; it is your vacation." Tsunade's eyes seemed to flash with something that I couldn't read, "Although, I think it's safe to say that bringing ninja tools wouldn't be such a bad idea." Giving me a meaningful look, she said, "Just because you're taking a vacation doesn't mean your enemies are."

I nodded continuously, keeping a mental note of everything she said. Oh, and a tab to the side to try to decipher the look she gave me with her eyes.

"Now," she drawled out as she poured herself some sake, "how long do you plan to be away?"

"Probably just a week or so—"

"No! Why would you want to waste time given to you by your beloved Hokage? Enjoy yourself—stay away longer."

I narrowed my eyes at her. Okay, now I'm officially suspicious. "Tsu—"

Before I could question her, she uttered, "How are you supposed to enjoy yourself with only a week's worth of vacation?" she shook her head as she downed her alcoholic drink. "You know how it is, dear… You're just getting use to it and then you have to leave."

Okay, the suspicion meter lowed a little. Like, barely. Only because she didn't stutter and she didn't pause a long time to think up an excuse if it was something to be suspicious of. But dangit, she's the Hokage—she has had practice. "Any more rules?" I sighed.

"Yeah," she held up three fingers, "Don't die. Don't get pregnant. And have a good time," she used the last finger up (her index finger) to point at me. Then she added in for good measure as she stopped pointing at me, "And don't get caught by any particular organization of S-class missing-nin." Tsunade said with a hearty laugh.

I simpered, "I know that." That's kind of a "duh" thing there.

Those damned Akatsuki! I hate them. But, it's too bad some of them are actually pretty hot, my Inner spouted. She suddenly was wide-eyed at the thought of a dangerously sexy harem.

I shoved her—erm: me?—out of the front of my mind, but to my chagrin, lightly blushed at the thought of how true her last sentence was. "Is that all?"

Tsunade-shishou nodded, "Yes. Now get packing! You're going to leave in a day." She started to make shooing motions with her hands.

A quick nod of my head and I turned to leave. But then a sudden thought stopped me as I looked behind at the woman sitting at the desk, "Don't drink too much sake while I'm gone," I said with a half-grin.

She simply waved away the request as she turned to face the large window in the office. It was an ordinary day for Konoha; people were buzzing around the village, either leisurely or on a strict schedule. It somewhat depended on who they were and what their occupation was. The only thing that was different today was that the clouds had a dark tint of gray; telltale signs of a rainstorm.

"Hey." I turned my head to look at my shishou. "There's no need really to tell anyone that you're leaving." Tsunade grinned to herself, "We all know how Naruto will act to this if he found out."

I smiled, but soon frowned at that thought. Even if I'd tell one person that doesn't talk to Naruto, the boy would find out. He knows just about everyone in Konoha (whether they liked him or not), and even if he didn't… he'd find out anyways—period. And then Naruto would ask to come with me and probably end up ruining my vacation. I love my best friend, but his mouth never stops moving and emitting out words.

I mumbled an agreement. The Lady Hokage turned her face slightly towards me so that I could see only half of it. On her face, I saw a conflicting emotion, another one that was unreadable. "Be safe, Sakura."

"Right," I suddenly wanted to give her a big hug. However, I resisted the urge to do so. True, I was going to see her before I left, but I missed her already. I gave Tsunade a small wave as she dismissed me before she turned fully towards the window again. I hurried out of the Hokage Tower to head home, passing Shizune on the way out.

Once I was at my small apartment, I put my hands on my hips, thinking; First thing's first. Heading to my bedroom, I finished my thoughts; I need to pack. I sighed at the mere mentioning of packing—it was never something I particularly enjoyed. Nevertheless, I learned to be quite well at it because my team members were usually never any good at such a task.

I emitted another sigh and decided on weapons to start on first. Anyways, my mentor has suggested I do so. I filled a rather sturdy messenger bag with the essentials: clothes, extra instant food, water, plenty enough of money, bandages, soldier pills, more weapons, scrolls—stuff like that. (For a medium-sized bag, it sure holds a lot!)

As I finished my packing, a familiar knock, and then the sound of my front door being opened, was heard. "Sakura-chaaaaan!" yelled my obnoxious blonde best friend. (No, not Ino.)

Naruto. I shoved my bag and packs under my bed quickly and made sure nothing looked too out of the ordinary. Swatting a piece of pink hair out of my face, I soon found my blue-eyed friend had plopped himself right onto my bed, some of my favorite snacks—that he most definitely and obviously stole from my kitchen—in hand. Note to self: Bring those snacks

"Yeah, sure, make yourself at home," I mumbled as I moved to stand in front of him.

"Sure!" he said cheerfully, kicking back, taking me up on my "offer."

Count to ten, Sakura; count to ten. Crossing my arms, I stared him down with a look that asked what he wanted.

Naruto sat straight up, cringing from my glare. "W-Well," he stuttered, "I came here to tell you about my mission."

"Oh?" I uncrossed my arms and sat next to him promptly. "Another one?"

He grinned, "Yep! I, uh, am leaving tonight actu—"

"What?" I growled, "And you just now decided to tell me? A few hours before you leave?" We kind of made a miniature deal that stated that we tell each other our missions before we leave. (At least a day or two beforehand.) Wait, I guess I should shut up and stop being a hypocrite.

But it's not a mission! my Inner-self's singsong voice rang through my head.

The boy thickly gulped, "Uhm, yes? Please don't hit me, Sakura-chan! I just found out today myself," he said, his arms up in the universal "don't shoot" sign.

"I see."

"A-Anyways," Naruto stumbled along, shoving more of my delicious food into his mouth, "Sai and I are going on a rescue mission. Something about some important feudal lord's son. I guess he's the next in line." The blonde shrugged, "I'unno. But the kidnappers are asking for some sort of scroll that has a special, secret jutsu on it that only the villager's people can use. The lord can't give it up, and he doesn't want anything to happen to his son. So, yeah. That's just about it. Kinda typical?"

I nodded, but then tilted my head slightly. "Hmm," I mused. "Well, we know that the kidnappers are ninja—or at least their leader is. But it's always safer to assume that they are all ninja so that you're prepared. And it sounds like they're—or again, the leader is—from that village." How else would they be able to use the scroll?

"Mhmm," he said, drinking it all in as he blankly stared at me.

I continued to give him a few tips that were obvious enough. "Be sure to become familiar with their ninja ways and jutsus if you can." I paused, thinking something over. "Also, with these types of missions, there are usually spies—watch out for them."

"Okay! That's a good idea." He exclaimed, "You're a genius!"

Uh, sure, Naruto. I'm like 152% sure that Sai and Tsunade and everyone else who heard about this mission already assumed all of that. I tucked a stray piece of candy pink hair behind my left ear, "Yeah… Where are you even going?"

"Well, Granny-Tsunade won't tell me," the blonde shrugged. "And I dunno if Sai knows. She just told us to pack for a long, hot mission."

"Sai probably knows," I muttered under my breath. Hot? Maybe the Sunagakure?

"Eh?" Naruto said with his grandpa-face on, putting a hand up to his ear. "What'd ya say?"

I shook my head. "Well then, you better get packing, Naruto." I stood up, "ANBU could find you any second."

"Right, right," he said as he stood up also.

"See you around—or not," I frowned a bit as I stared at him.

Naruto grinned, "Yeah." But, oddly enough, his expression sobered. "Sakura?"

No "chan"? And a serious expression? Oh dear. "Yeah?"

He pulled me into a tight embrace that might have killed someone if they weren't me—and used to it. "I'll miss you."

"I-I'll miss you, too," I murmured with a soft smile. As we pulled away, I donned an evil grin that he could see, "Knucklehead."

Naruto mock-glared at me, "Ugh!" Although, his expression soon changed as he smiled, "Whenever I get a break from all these missions, and you take some time off from training under Granny-Tsunade, then we're going to Ichiraku's. We can hang out like the old days. Believe it!" Naruto said with a wink. And then he left.

For a little while I stood there, simply laughing to myself with my best friend's littered snack wrapper in hand. But, sooner than later, I remembered what I was supposed to be doing; more packing. I groaned.

Getting my messenger bag and packs out from under my bed, I threw them back on top of the mattress. Analyzing the contents, I decided I needed more medical supplies. And adding a few more kunai could never hurt. (At least not me.)

After I soon finished my packing, I decided to head out into my village. I greeted everyone I saw—as I usually did. Without any hint that that was my last sort of salutation towards them for awhile. Most likely. You never know if a random—but not truly so—ninja had a mission in the area that I'm vacationing at. (Although, I still haven't planned out the where-to part just yet. I almost certainly should.)

Not before long, darker clouds began to fill up the vast, normally cheerfully blue sky. I should probably head home, I mused. However, as soon as the thought formed, it was erased. Obviously zoning out, I wandered around the village—in the opposite direction of my apartment.

As I meandered around Konohagakure, rain began to drizzle. But almost as if God turned on the "high" switch on rain, it came down rapidly and in buckets. The pounding downpour hitting my body woke me up from my spaced out period.

I then realized where I was. I was at the place where the original Team Seven had first trained together. Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, and me. And Sasuke. Even though I'm (mostly) over my juvenile crush, I still missed the young man. He was my former teammate and love interest for the longest time afterall.

"Why can't you just come home, Sasuke-k-kun?" I whispered out into the raining world, my voice slightly quivering. Is it raining where he is, too? I shook my head at the cliché thought as a tear or two mixed with the wetness already on my face.

"Sakura?"

Whipping my small frame around, I squinted my eyes at a light gray-haired man. It was no other than... "K-Kakashi-sensei?"

He looked at me with a spark of curiosity in his lone eye. "What are you doing here?" my old sensei asked.

I gave a small smile, more to myself than towards him, "Saying goodbye," I said without thinking. And it was true; I was saying goodbye. Just not in the way Kakashi would think.

"Goodbye?" he questioned, as I figured.

"Ah—what I mean by that is that I was just thinking. And… I need to let go," I murmured, quickly coming up with that excuse. Honestly—it's quite sad—that no one inquiries me on what I say when it involves my feelings towards the youngest Uchiha.

Nevertheless, Kakashi-sensei's eyes questioned mine. "Of the past," I finished, but we both knew I meant Sasuke. (Nevermind that it was not wholly, surely true.)

The man walked over to me, squeezed my shoulder affectionately like a father, and said, "Get some sleep, Sakura." I nodded and he was already gone as a ghost of a smile met my lips. That's our Copy-Ninja.

When I woke up the following morning, I felt a strangely calming peace and refress-ness fall over me: even though I woke up earlier than usual. Well, Tsunade did say it would be better if I did anyhow—due to the fact that, even though it is a ninja village, not as many people are awake in the early, early mornings. (And at the moment, it doesn't matter if Naruto is gone, beginning a mission. There are, of course, other people that shouldn't really know of my departure. People talk—especially in this village.)

Once at the Hokage Tower, I rushed to her office unseen. "Tsunade-shishou," I said, bowing my head in respect, "I'm here."

"Urrg—don't be so loud, Sakura," answered a clearly hung-over Hokage who hadn't apprehended that I spoke in my normal volume and tone of voice. And even a bit quiter at that—due to the aspect that it was morning.

I muttered a false apology.

Turning herself and her chair around, she began to speak, "You leaving now?"

"Yeah," I drawled, off in thought. "Yeah, I guess."

"Okay," a pregnant pause entered the room, as if the female Hokage was in some deep thought. "But before you go, could you do something for me?"

I hesitantly said, "Yeah, anything."

"Get me some more sake." Obviously she wasn't in such deep, meaningful train of thought as I believed.

Gah, Tsunade. I glared at her and she returned her own cold stare back to me. I sweat-dropped and then soon mumbled a response, hurting away to get her her fricking alcohol.

Once I was in the storage room, where she stashed all her sake, I picked the first one off the shelf. It wasn't all that dusty, thus I figure that it's just not that old. I didn't drink as much as my mentor (my Inner snorted at the thought, knowing how easily influenced I was by the older woman), but that didn't mean I didn't know that alcohol was best when it was aged.

Eh, who cares? Tsunade won't notice—and if she does, well, I'm gone by then, I thought nonchalantly to myself. My Inner-self concurred. As I rushed out in the halls, I practically ran into Shizune. "Oh!" I exclaimed, startled.

"S-Sakura!" she whisper-shouted, feeling quite jumpy herself. "You're up early," she commented, regaining her usual posture. Although, and I suppose rightfully so, the woman eyed the alcohol in my hands, "Stealing sake, are we?"

I started off with a stutter as well, "N-No! It's for the Hokage."

Shizune shrugged, it was a typical thing that the brunette woman had to deal with and became used to. Tsunade drank all the time. It's sad to know—if one did—that your Hokage was a binge-drinker. "Figures," she shook her head. "That woman drinks all day and night… and to cure her hangovers, she merely drinks more."

I nodded in agreement, Not too much of a life, I suppose. Then again, she is the Hokage of Konoha. "Yeah, well, I better get this to her anyways." I rolled my eyes, "Or else she'll go all fiend on the place and wreak her havoc." Bah, shishou.

She shook her head in concord, "See you later then, Sakura."

So Tsunade didn't even tell Shizune? Why not? "Uh, yeah… Yeah!" I coughed. Stupid liar. "See you later." Good thing Shizune wasn't the best at realizing what words were lies or not—unless it came from Tsunade.

I rushed past the petite woman and headed right into Tsunade's office. "I got your sake; now give me a hug. Please?" I questioned.

"Fine," mumbled the intoxicated woman. The Hokage opened her arms wide and I went in for a landing. Tsunade-hugs are some of the best! Unless she squeezes you too hard… like she tends to do. But, hey, it's all fine when the hugs are aimed for me, because I'm almost—or perhaps as—strong as the Slug Sannin herself. Plus, a good back-cracking could never hurt.

I laughed, giving her my thanks for the seemingly simple gesture, as she let go of the embrace. "Good. Now… go take that rest you deserve… far away from here," she uttered, soon falling back into her chair.

I murmured with a glower, "Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me, Tsunade-shishou."

"Don't think that, kid," she patted my hand and accidently scraped me. Gosh, is she still drunk even when she's hungover? What the hell is up with that? Ferseriously. She began to walk back over to her chair, a bit unsteady. (She must have been drinking while I was getting her even more sake! That woman…!)

I moved towards the door, and just as I was closing it, I saw Tsunade collapse at her desk; pouring herself some of the sake I retrieved her. "I love you, shishou," I whispered as I completely shut the wooden door.

"Okay, then," I sighed to myself. Konoha, goodbye for now. And wherever I may go… save me a room at the closest hot springs.

I rushed out of the Village Hidden in the Leaves unseen into the forest. It came to me as outlandish to be on the other side of the main gate without an actual mission. Oh well, maybe this sort of is a mission—if I pretended.

-x-x-x-

Shizune walked into the Hokage's office with papers piling past her head. She could only move because she knew her way around—even in the nearly always-cluttered office. The woman set the papers down next to the grand desk. (There were already enough papers on Tsunade's desk that needed to be looked over and settled.)

When the brunette saw that Tsunade's face was to the desk and a tiny dribble of drool was hanging from her mouth, she rolled her eyes at her mentor. She groaned lightly, "I guess she's taking a little catnap," Shizune said just about soundlessly under her breath. "Ugh." But I'll need to wake her up so she can at least start on some of these papers, the younger woman thought.

She took in a deep breath; afraid that maybe a hungover or drunk Hokage might slay her if she's pissed. Shizune gingerly tapped her shoulder, "Tsunade," she spoke. Aforesaid woman didn't make a move at all. That's strange, reflected Shizune, Usually she would wake up just at a light touch like that. Maybe all this office-sitting is making her rusty.

The medic-nin knocked on the blonde woman's shoulder harder this time. "Tsunade!—Wake up please!" But still, she wouldn't wake up. Shizune took Tsunade's shoulder and shook it roughly, pissed off herself now, "Come on, wake up. I think there's some good sake around here. Want some?"

The Hokage didn't say a word, she didn't move.

"What..?" Shizune whispered breathlessly. Tsunade was breathing, that the woman could tell… However, she just wouldn't wake up or open her eyes.

Shizune ran to the door, stuck her body out and yelled out into the halls of the Hokage Tower, "Red alert!" She glanced anxiously at the woman unconscious at the desk again and began to pray that everything was going to be okay.

Even after all those years spent training and being with said woman—that was all that she could do. And Shizune hated it.