The road home was going to be a long one, filled with strange ninja and corrupted village roots. Fortunately, Sakura would learn a few things along the way-about herself-and the world around her.
CURRENT STATUS - HIATUS
NOT FINISHED
MOSTLY UNEDITE...
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When Tsunade read that letter, her bottle slammed down down so hard on the table that it broke, and she covered her face with her hands. Shizune could only wince, and start quickly moving away important documents so they didn't get ruined by the quickly spreading liquid.
"I messed up this time, Shizune-chan. I really did," the Hokage muttered into her hands. Her shoulders drooped. "Please have an ANBU go find Hatake-san and bring him to me."
All it took was a nod and a snap of fingers.
Kakashi was found by the memorial rock, eye closed and head pointed to the sky, as if he was searching for answers. When the ANBU appeared before him, he knew something was wrong. And somehow, he knew it was about Sakura.
Maybe it was because he had been edging around her for some time, not actually managing to work up the courage to talk to her. Then, about two days ago, he couldn't seem to find her on her usual stops.
"I'm coming," was all he said, before he shunshined away. Within moments, he found himself in Tsunade's office, standing upright and at attention. The look on his Kage's face was disturbing, to say the least. It was a mixture between sorrow and determination.
"Hatake Kakashi," the woman began. "I-"
"It's about Sakura." Kakashi's words were resigned as he spoke out of turn, cutting her off. "She is gone." How did he know?
"That she is," she agreed, tapping her fingers on her desk. She didn't scold him on his lack of manners.
Kakashi bowed his head, his hands forming clenched fists. "Please let me gather a team to bring her back."
"You know, that wasn't so successful with Sasuke Uchiha." Tsunade had a point. But, that didn't matter. Sakura was different.
"She's all that's left of Team Seven. And she might not survive out there by herself," the jounin argued.
"What if she finds Sasuke." It was very sensible question. The, what if? Many things could happen.
"That also means her finding Orchimaru and Kabuto. Like I said, she wouldn't survive that." He was trying to argue his point, making Sakura's chance of survival lower.
"Ah, I think you don't give her much credit. She's survived this far, hasn't she? With an Uchiha with a vendetta, a Jinchuriki, and a sensei who has unhealthy habits. You don't give her much credit, do you?" That was a mouthful. But there was so much truth in it.
"I really messed up," he whispered.
Tsunade didn't sugar coat it. "You did. But now are you going to fix it?"
He looked up, eyes narrowed with a determination that the Hokage hasn't witnessed before. "I will."
"Good. Then give her some time before you go hunting her down."
