Sakura blossoms danced in the summer breeze, the same wind that swept over the land of fire plucked at her hair. Silken strands fluttered across her porcelain face, the same face that was raised to the sky in complete abandon. Emerald green stared into astonishing blue; it seemed to her that the sky was endless that the never-ending hue was a gateway to another realm, one where she wasn't a kunoichi, where she wasn't a tool for her village. A place where she could live and love, and not worry that tomorrow may be the day she die.

"Sakura-san, Tsunade-sama requests an audience with you." A gruff voice pierced her tranquil thoughts.

"Ah, ANBU-san you almost startled me. Tell me, what does the Hokage want?" She all but whispered, not tearing her gaze away from the beautiful blue that cupped her world.

"If I knew than she would not request your presence now would she? Come with me now." The voice commanded.

She sighed heavily, and lifted two fingers in front of her face silently. She let her special transportation jutsu consume her, and suddenly the rosette melted into a wave of cherry blossoms, leaving the ANBU black op sitting alone in the middle of a deserted field.

Tsunade was staring out her office window. Her thoughts were pained; the stress of what she was about to do ate at her psych. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. Her own prized student, she would send her into a house of murderers for the sake of the village. For one moment, just one, Tsunade wished she had turned down the title of Hokage. Sakura was a beloved kunoichi, stronger than even herself; she was a valuable asset not only to the village… but the people in it.

"Sempai?" A soft voice whispered.

Tsunade spun around to see Sakura materialize on a nearby windowsill, cherry petals floated to the floor at the girls bare feet.

'Oh Sakura, this world is ever cruel to you' the blonde Hokage thought miserably.

"Sakura Haruno, I have an S rank mission for you to complete." She said as bravely as she could, her eyes watching the girl in front of her.

Sakura had changed in the 6 years Tsunade had been training her in, not only in her abilities, but in looks and personality. The once exuberant girl was now withdrawn and quiet, her once shining smile replaced with a look of boredom. The once vain Sakura had changed into a natural beauty. Her pink hair was considerably lighter, almost a silvery pink. It swayed down to her hips in long silken tresses; her parted bangs came together now, to form one elegant swipe across her forehead (which she had long since grown into). Her bright green eyes had darkened into almost an emerald-jade. Her skin bore a translucent quality, and shone subtly in the light. She was a tiny thing, almost fragile looking. She wore black shorts and a black midriff top that had one long sleeve and one short. The red Haruno circle embroidered on the long sleeves shoulder, and below the V in the neck of the garment. Across her back a large seraph blade was strapped, her long hair hid it from plain view. Her arms were adorned with ANBU tattoos, and subtle little scars from years of battle. Tsunade's eyes glistened with tears up as she stared at the pitiful, yet beautiful wisp of a girl in front of her.

"What is it, Tsunade-shisou?" Sakura's quiet voice interrupted her observing, her sad green eyes never leaving the sky.

She shook her head slightly, composing herself before she addressed her former apprentice.

"Sakura, this mission is highly dangerous, even more so than any you have ever been assigned. It is very likely you may parish in this mission. However... the council had decided that you are more than able to achieve your mission. Sakura… you have surpassed even myself in every aspect of being a kunoichi. I couldn't be more proud, or more scared for you than I am right now." She earnestly told her student.

Sakura's eyes softened and she finally turned to look at her sempai. Tsunade could've cried staring into those depthless emerald eyes. They held so much grief for such a young woman.

"Tsunade-shisou, you are the one who trained me, you are the one who is supposed to support me not fear for me." She whispered.

And that's exactly why Tsunade felt guilty. She had given Sakura this insane power... it was her fault the girl was in the position she was in.

"You are to infiltrate the Akatsuki Sakura. Become one of them; stay undercover until... until they finally decide to come for the 9 tailed fox. Until they decide to kill Naruto. Then... then you move, and you destroy whichever of those criminals is behind this organization."

Sakura's eyes lit up, something they hadn't done in a very long time.

"Where is Naruto?" Her quiet voice suddenly increased in volume.

Tsunade noticed the visible change and almost produced a smile.

"Naruto is with Jiraiya, training in the mountains of the fire country to become a sage. He is safe Sakura-chan, do not worry." Tsunade reassured her.

Sakura's eyes softened once more, and she turned away.

"I don't worry shisou. I miss him." She whispered.

She felt another pang of guilt. It was also her fault Sakura was alone. Kakashi and Sai had left the village on an A rank mission that a female team member would not be able to attend seeing as they had to infiltrate a monastery that was secretly plotting to overthrow the village hidden in the sand. Naruto had been gone with Jiraiya for another 2 year training session... and Sakura had been wasting her days away, day dreaming and missing her teammates, with no missions ... and no one but the conceited Ino Yamanaka to talk to.

"Sakura, once you accept your mission, you are to depart immediately. And to make this seem realistic to the Akastuki... you are to become a missing Nin. No one but me and the council knows of this mission. You are to sneak out of the village at midnight, knock the guards out, and disband the village hidden in the leaves. Seek out the Akatsuki, gain their trust and become part of the organization at all costs, do you understand Sakura? If they tell you to kill, you do it, if they order you to attack either friend or foe, you do as your told. The last place the Akatsuki have been spotted is a small town near Suna. After the Kazekage's kidnapping it is dangerous for any of those criminals to show their face in the Sand, they won't stay long. Go now, Naruto, as well as the rest of the world's sake is in your more than capable hands Sakura Haruno. Don't disappoint me." She uttered the last phrase quietly.

"Hai Hokage-sama." The quiet voice answered.

And before Tsunade could tell her to be safe, Sakura was gone, leaving behind a single cherry blossom on the window ledge. Tsunade frowned; her eyes welled up with tears once again. Her most cherished student... and she would never know just how much she cared for her.