Foreword: I give you a warning. There is major SasukeOOCness in this story – for a reason, though. Another thing – it's SasuSaku. Finally, be prepared to face my morbidity. :P That said, let's get on to the story. Read and review (I beg of you!).

I Dreamt of a Butterfly

Chapter One

It was nice to sit like this. It was nice to sit on top of a hilltop that overlooked the valley which linked the outside world to the small, busy village of Konoha. It was nice to be here in this spot on a not-too-bright day beside your best friend. It was nice to finally let out a deep breath one'd been holding for a long time and be silent and think one's thoughts without being interrupted. It was a nice day. A day to remember, to reflect. A day of memories.

Ino knew what was on Sakura's mind. It could be nothing else. Three years ago Uchiha Sasuke had left Konoha through this same valley. Now whenever Sakura needed to relax or get away from things for a while, she came here. Whenever she found she needed to reflect on and talk about the past and let it motivate her instead of getting her down, she sought out Ino. The two would sit there together and talk. Of course, occasionally Sakura would talk about Sasuke. Of course her green gaze never ceased to leave that little valley, hoping upon hope that someday the Uchiha would step through that place one again.

"Do you think I'd recognize Sasuke if he walked down that valley now?" Sakura asked. For once it was her who broke the silence.

There were so many things that had to be said and settled, but when it was done, they were closer than ever. Ino smiled wistfully towards her friend. "I suppose not. How do you think he'd look? Taller, maybe, tanner, leaner, more muscular…"

"Mini-Orochimaru."

That was all Sakura said as she returned her gaze to the terrain below them. There was a definite bitter edge to her tone, and Ino detected it immediately. She decided to change the subject.

"How long are you planning to stay here, by the way? I'll have to go soon. I'm meeting Shikamaru and Chouji for more training sessisons. Lazy bum's really taking his time to show us his cool new jutsu. He thinks it'd be cooler if he kept us in suspense. Just he wait 'til I pummel him…"

Now Sakura smiled. "Same old Shika, huh? Okay, I suppose we'd better go. I'd hate for Shika to be pummeled. He should have seen how you beat up Kiba for hiding your make-up the other day…" The usual Sakura was back; the storm was past.

The two stood up, giving one last long look to the surrounding areas as they dusted of their clothes. Then, as they both turned to go, Sakura saw something out of the corner of her eye. It was a lone, dark figure, limping slowly through the valley.

Sakura couldn't see his face and she couldn't see his build from such a height, but there was something in the way he moved that was utterly reminiscent of Sasuke. There was also something in her mind, her heart, her soul that told her this was him. This was the one she'd cried for everyday since he left. This was the one whom she still dreamt of her in her sleep This was who she became a medical ninja for. This was who she had rejected guy after guy to wait – abeit foolishly – for. This was the only boy she had ever loved. Uchiha Sasuke.

He was finally back.

The lone figure stumbled suddenly, falling over. Sakura screamed.

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Sakura had never run so fast in her life. Her heart was pounding crazily; her tears fell like rain and sweat poured from her body in buckets. Her legs were close to numb, but she kept going like a wound-up toy, a machine. Her throat was dry and many times she skidded and slid dangerously along the steep, rocky mountain path. Ino fought to catch up with her, but could not.

It no longer mattered whose side he was now on, Tsunade's or Orochimaru's. It no longer mattered if he was still on the darkside and had come to destroy their village. It no longer mattered if he was still Sasuke the Betrayer. There was only one thing that mattered to Sakura at that moment, and it was that he was back.

Sakura thought she had never run so slow in her life.

She reached there, finally. She stopped very abruptly at the sight of the throngs of people in the area and thought her heart would leap out of her chest. She nearly fell to her knees in exhaustion. She could already make out Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi-sensei and Naruto in the crowd. But she barely took them in. With all her strength she valiantly fought her way through. She did not register the look of shock and slight anger on Tsunade's features as she shoved her aside to get to Sasuke.

"Sakura-chan!" She barely heard him. She could feel Naruto's and Kakashi's eyes boring into her back.

Sasuke was crouched on the ground, his face hidden from view. She gasped, taking in his blood-matted hair and crimson-stained clothes. Tears began to flow freely once gain from her eyes. Then he looked up. Trembling, Sakura knelt in front of him.

Yes, he was taller. Leaner. More muscular… His hair was longer and flatter, but still had his distinct 'Sasuke' style. He had a earring in one ear and dark rings under his eyes, like Orochimaru. But he was still Sasuke. And that was enough.

"Sakura," Kakashi began, but she didn't hear him. She lost all rationality to the wind. She threw her arms around Sasuke, holding him like she'd never held anyone. She wept into his shoulder. She smelt rain and mud and sweat and blood and Sasuke.

"Sakura, he's…" Kakashi tried to say.

Sakura pulled back slightly to look at Sasuke. He was staring straight at her. His face was thinner, now. It looked weather-beaten, and had a few scars over it, but it was him, and he was looking directly at her. Sakura reached out a hand to touch his cheek, but something in his gaze made her stop.

"S…Sasuke…?"

She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Naruto. There was something in his eyes, urgent and pleading. Kakashi's eyes spoke volumes of regret and pity.

"Sasuke's… well…" He fumbled for the words, couldn't find them and trailed off.

And before Sakura's very eyes, Sasuke's mouth spread without warning into a large smile.

It was the most beautiful and tragic thing she'd ever seen in her life.

He lifted a finger, pointing at her, his eyes wide.

"Who are you?"

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To be contined...

Ahaha. I think from the hints dropped near the end of the chapter, most of you should understand what's happened to Sasuke. If you don't… don't worry. All will be revealed – explicitly – in the next chapter. Which will be up soon, since I already have it down on paper and all I have to do is type it in.

For this story, I'm more concerned with emotions and visualizations than the plot or dialogue. I imagined out this story in the form of images, but since my drawing skillx suck and I cant draw doujinshi, I have to make do with this awful piece of fanfiction. I hope you enjoyed and understood it, anyway. Please, please drop a review. I'd even appreciate criticism, especially if it's constructive.

Finally, a little warning to all Sasuke-fangirls… you all'd probably NOT like how Sasuke will be portrayed in the next few chapters. I'll also become increasingly more morbid later. –sadistic grin-

And that's it – keep an eye out fot chappy two. :D review!