"The most difficult paths lead to the most beautiful destinations." -Sakura Haruno

      Sakura grabbed Sayuri's arm. "You're serious about this? You know you can't come back."

      Sayuri nodded, face devoid of emotion. "I'm sure. I need to do this."

      Sakura searched her eyes for any trace of doubt, but found none. She smiled sadly. "I'm really going to miss you, you know?"

      Sayuri bit her lip. "Yeah, I know." She embraced Sakura, and the pinkette clung to her like life itself. "I'll miss you too." She smiled to force the tears back down.

      When they parted, both were crying silently. Their bond had strengthened remarkably over the years. Ever since that far back day when they had poured their hearts out to each other, they had been closer than sisters.

      "You could still change your mind." Sayuri offered. "Come with me, see the world, get stronger."

      Sakura shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't. Not yet, anyway. Itachi and Reika, I can't just leave them all alone."

      Sayuri wiped her eyes. Of course, she'd been expecting that. Classic Sakura, always standing by her friends. "Well, I'd better be going then."

      "Yeah," Sakura trailed off. She understood why Sayuri was leaving, and didn't look down on her for it. If anything, it made Sakura respect the girl even more.

      Sayuri reached into her bag and handed Sakura a stack of letters. "Hand these out for me would you?"

      Sakura nodded and took them. "Of course." She hugged them to her chest. "Anything else?"

      Sayuri shook her head. "No." She turned and began to pad into the midnight fog surrounding the village. She looked back only once, just before she was out of sight. "Goodbye, Sakura-hime." She whispered. Then she was gone.

      Sakura stood in silence, ignoring the cold seeping through her bones. She clutched the packet to her stomach and sank into a kneeling position. "Goodbye, Sayuri-niichan."

      She cried silent tears until dawn broke the horizon, then stood and wiped her eyes. She sifted through the letters. There was one for nearly everybody Sayuri knew, and a few even Sakura didn't recognize. I may as well get started now. This looks like it could take me a while. She started walking into town, wondering how on earth she was supposed to tell people that Sayuri Hatake, the prodigy girl who had made genin at age eight, had left Konoha.

      She made a mental list of the names she had to find. Iruka-sensei, Ichiraku, Naruto Uzumaki-isn't that the blonde kid everyone always picked on?-, Shikaku Nara-wonder how Sayuri knew him-, Hokage-sama, Reika, and Kakashi.

      She bumped shoulders with someone, and turned to glare at them. But her angry look was stopped when she saw the shock of silver hair.

      Kakashi Hatake glanced at her curiously. "Can I help you with something?" He asked her, wondering why on earth the little academy girl was up so early.

      She mutely shoved a scroll into his hands. Now truly curious, he unrolled it slowly.

Dear Kakashi-niisan,

      His blood ran cold.

Please don't blame yourself. Our fight last night was not the reason I did this, though it did add a certain fire behind my decision. But I've had this planned for a long time. It's not your fault, if anyone is to blame it's me. But I'm leaving Konoha, will already be gone by the time you read this.

      No. No way. She wouldn't have-would she?

Visit father for me, will you? Tell him I'm sorry, but I won't be coming every day anymore. Maybe you could go in my place, I know you haven't payed your respects in a long time. And it's not because you don't respect him, because I know you do. So just go, would you? If not for him then for me.

I'm sorry, niisan. I know how angry you'll be when you read this. I left you, just like everyone else, and I don't expect you to forgive me. But try not to let your emotions get the better of you. Rin wouldn't want that.

      That was a low blow.

Goodbye, niisan. I'll see you again someday, I promise. Until then, at least try to be happy. Please.

With everlasting love, Sayuri Hatake

      Kakashi stared at the words, mind racing. He turned to the pink haired girl, but she was already gone. He cursed, made a hand sign, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

      He reappeared in the Hokage's office, and was more than slightly stunned to see the pinkette already there. She met his eyes, and the profound sadness in them confirmed each and every one of Sayuri's words.

      Lord Third looked up from a scroll identical to Kakashi's. "She left?"

      The rosette nodded. "She did. And I hope you realize that I'll never willingly tell you where she went."

      Instantly, Kakashi was across the room, hand around her throat, her back pressed against the wall. "Where did my sister go?" He growled.

      She didn't even blink, staring him down unflinchingly. Who the hell was this girl?

      "Kakashi Hatake, stop at once." The Hokage ordered.

      Kakashi took a step back and the girl bowed to them both, then left.

      Kakashi slammed a palm down on the Hokage's desk. "What the hell? Old man, why did you let her go? Who is she anyway? How does she even know Sayuri?"

      Lord Third sighed. "First off, you're an ANBU at age twelve. How do you not know who she is? Her name is Sakura Haruno, and she-as I understand it-was one of Sayuri's roommates at Aozora. She has a rattling backstory, I'm honestly surprised you were never briefed on her."

      Kakashi blinked, and removed his hand. He bowed stiffly. "My apologies, Hokage-sama. I don't know what came over me."

      The Third Hokage chuckled. "Don't fret over it. Go to ANBU Headquarters and read Sakura Haruno's file. Then we'll talk about Sayuri-chan."

Author's Note ~ FINALLY! The plot is picking up! I have the rest of the book completely planned out, but not written, so yeah.

Thank you everyone who reads, votes, comments, adds, and follows! You guys make me more happy than you can ever know!

This chapter is dedicated to that_mini_cupcake, my newest friend on this site! <3 you!

Also, I promised y'all a bonus chapter when we reached 1K reads. That's looming right around the corner, but I DON'T HAVE A CHAPTER READY! Aaaaaagh! So if I don't update extra right away when 1K happens, just know that it's coming as soon as I can! Thanks!

-onceuponforeverafter