Chapter 1
A familiar pink-haired kunoichi was running through the streets. Everything was a blur...people, buildings, voices...everything was blending together as she fell deep into her desperate thoughts. This was it. Her heart had spilled for him until it was empty. He was gone. She had watched him leave, using all her strength just to will her breaking heart to keep beating, just to keep breathing...no matter how it hurt. She watched as her raven-haired obsession turned his back after bidding her a short farewell. He walked through the gates and disappeared in moments that seemed to last forever, but weren't nearly long enough.
Naruto and the others had called to her, they wanted to console her...but nothing would help. She just had to get away...maybe if she ran home...he would be there...he would give her that trademark smirk and tell her it was all a mistake...he didn't need revenge- she was all he needed- she wanted to be all he needed...but she wasn't enough...so it replayed in her mind, no matter how far she ran- even when she hit the door and burst in with frustration. That simple brown pack thrown over his shoulder- the last words he spoke to her in the fading morning light, it was following her- clinging to her as she had clung to him.
"Sakura..." She remembered his voice...but time would soon take that from her, as it had taken everything she held dear. She remembered how he simply gazed at her...she was the last one he needed to say goodbye to...the last tie he needed to break. Her mind had raced over so many things- frantic to come up with something- anything that would keep him from leaving her behind. She remembered almost blanking out...his words came in small fragments...not really meaning much...they all added up the same- he was leaving...and he wasn't planning to return soon, if at all. He was searching her eyes for a way to help her say goodbye. But she didn't want to say goodbye! She was tired of being left behind! She was sick of being too weak to drag along.
Now she was laying half awake on her bedroom floor, waiting for daybreak. Tears had stained her face all night and she had slipped in and out of dreams for hours. It was tearing her apart...or at least what was left of her- sobs had racked through her body until she was too weak to see straight. But she didn't need to see- she had been staring half heartedly at the same old photo of team 7 since she collapsed in this spot. Her hues had lost their spark...the fire behind them was snuffed and she no longer tried to pretend she wasn't broken...she was tired of pretending. The night had been unkind to her, and she couldn't wash the image of Sasuke from her mind.
She needed him...no...she didn't want to need him anymore...she wanted to be free of him- as he was free of her. She wasn't sure how long it had been since he left...days...maybe a week or so...but it was almost time for her parents to return from their mission... and Naruto, along with many of her other friends, had been stopping by regularly to beat on the door, call out her name...ask if she was alright. She had worried them enough. This was it. She had to get up, force her stiff muscles to unglue themselves from this wretched spot and move on. She had to pick up these pieces to her broken heart. She had to carry it around inside her chest. Useless and empty as it may be.
-.-.- ( 3 years later ) -.-.-.-.-
He carried the same bag thrown over his shoulder, the same smirk, the same dark past. Yes, the last remaining survivor of the Uchiha clan was returning to his home with everything that he had left with, only now he had gained his sanity, his freedom from his brother. However, he had no intentions of becoming a happy-go-lucky dobe like his friend Naruto. Naruto- He couldn't wait to see that idiot and hear all the annoying things his friend had to say. And Sakura...his pink-haired kunoichi he had long left behind, would she run to his arms on his return or scold him for staying away too long? What would he say to them all? "Three years...has it really been so long?" He smirked under his breath as the Konoha gates came into sight.
A certain blonde Uzumaki was walking with his beloved Hinata on his arm through the streets of Konoha village. This was their week off, and it was well deserved after returning from seperate B-ranked missions that had taken nearly two weeks to complete. Naruto was admiring Hinata's eyes as they fauned over the many glistening pieces that decorated windows down the shop streets. She clung to his arm delicately as they walked, speaking softly of nothing in particular, but Naruto listened intently to the sound of her voice. They smiled, laughing about a small joke that Sasuke didn't catch as he entered the street with a suprised look.
"sa- Sasuke!" Naruto stuttered slightly, both staring at the raven-haired man in disbelief. "Naruto?" Sasuke was just as shocked, he hardly recognized his childhood friend. It had only been a little more than three years, but the blonde ninja had changed significantly. Both men had become more mature and it showed, reflecting that they were now around 19. Their bodies had filled out with the muscles of strong ninja and their faces were just as handsome as when they were younger, but they no longer held the childish innocence of youth.
Many hours of catching up soon followed. Naruto insisted that Sasuke come back to his home for ramen. "My Hinata-chan makes the best ramen- believe it!" The fox grin on Naruto's face made Sasuke smirk at old memories while Hinata just blushed by his side. They had talked for such a long time, but it had taken a while for Sasuke to realize that his old friends, the dobe Naruto and the quiet Hinata were actually married. Naruto proudly announced that it had happened around a year earlier, then gulped down some of the fresh ramen that was brought to him.
Soon, Sasuke and Naruto began speaking seriously about Sasuke joing Naruto's ANBU squad. Both men agreed it would be an exciting reunion of the old team. "Yeah- just stick Sakura on as our third and it would be just like old times...I mean, she did join ANBU, right? That was her plan last time I saw her...three years, you and her must have the best ANBU squad there is..." Sasuke mused at this thought, leaning back on the couch with a sigh. Naruto gave a long look, his face falling into a melancholy glare. "Actually Sasuke...Sakura isn't much for working with others lately..."
Sasuke pushed a few annoying strands of dark hair from his face as he gave Naruto a confused expression. Hinata came out from the kitchen as she heard the conversation begin revolving around the certain kunoichi. Naruto wasn't sure how to word his statements now. "Well...she's a little...different...than you would remember..." Sasuke raised a brow, annoyed at Naruto's reluctance. "Naruto...just spill it, whats the big deal...its Sakura...- I mean, did she get married or something?" Sasuke smirked, knowing it wasn't likely, but Naruto just scratched the back of his head impatiently.
"No...she's just...different...it happened not too long after you left...Sakura's parents were killed in an anbush on the village...She just hasn't been the same since..." Hinata stepped into the room, coming to Naruto's side as he put his arm around her waist, his sober tone lingering in the air. Sasuke thought about this for a moment. "I guess I should go see how she is...she can't just neglect her duty forever..." Naruto scoffed at the thought. "If only she had...no Sasuke- Sakura has never been so dedicated to her duties...she's an elite assassin for ANBU now...she works mostly alone and almost all the time...if she isn't on a mission then she's training...in fact, she'll be returning tomorrow from a three week mission..." Sasuke sighed, taking it all in as he stood up, hardly believing what he was hearing. "An assassin...Sakura hardly seems to be the type..." Naruto's averted eyes now returned to meet Sasuke's in a serious tone. "She isn't the type...at least not the Sakura we grew up with...but like I said...she's not the same Sakura..."
Sasuke bid the couple a good night soon after and left for his old home. He was frustrated by the news about Sakura...how much could she have changed? She was the bright cherry blossom of Konoha...always smiling, always caring...always. He looked around. The streets were quiet and dark in Konoha...abandoned by the villagers who had gone inside. He finally came to his house, noticing that nothing was changed as he entered the old home and went to his room, falling asleep an hour later with thoughts of the next morning filling his head. He would have to go see Hokage Tsunade and discuss ANBU with her...and he needed to see Sakura.
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It was getting late as Sasuke finished up at the training ground. Old habits die hard. He had been up before the sun, training hard as he had done routinely for the last three years. Now he was heading into the Hokage tower to greet Tsunade about his return. He wasn't sure what to expect, but he definately wasn't expecting what came walking through Tsunade's office door as he was about to knock. Standing there in front of him was a kunoichi dressed in a black ANBU outfit, staring at him blankly as she shifted her weight to her other foot.
She was a slightly bruised and cut from her mission, but it was her...and she had changed. She had filled out in all the right places, no longer just a skinny little girl. Now she was a knock-out with subtle black highlights in her deep pink hair that had remained slightly shorter and the same electric green eyes he remembered. No, they weren't the same- on closer inspection they were colder...no longer bright and innocent, but more dangerous...more startling. ANBU fit her perfectly...at least the clothes did- the tattered black material clung to all the right curves in a black tanktop and short pair of shorts with a kunai halter wrapping her leg and various weapons strapped to her body. "...Sakura..."
Soon the moment was gone and Neji stepped up behind Sakura from inside the office, injured a little more seriously than Sakura it seemed. "Well...if it isn't the long lost Uchiha Sasuke...welcome back..." The two rivals shared a short gaze with no serious emotion. Then Sakura and Neji simply passed by Sasuke and ventured down the hall together, Sasuke stunned by Sakura's silence and unforgiving attitude toward him. She had seemed slightly suprised to see him, a bit puzzled, but she hadn't said a word...and she hadn't smiled...she had hardly acknowledged him at all.
Sakura was just as shocked as Sasuke was, but nothing showed on her face anymore. Three years had done alot to change her, eroding away the emotion that once brightened her face. She and Neji exited the Hokage tower in silence, finally the Hyuuga looked down at her with a questioning glare. "You alright?" She sighed, slightly annoyed. "Of course..." She looked up at him, trying to give him a look of contentment that would satisfy his concern. Unfortunately, she could tell he wasn't convinced, but he shook his head lightly and grazed her cheek with his gentle finger. This brought the faintest curve to her lips, though it hardly seemed like one of Sakura's smiles, this was the most she would give anyone now. "Alright Sakura-chan, if you say so...now lets go get cleaned up..." She followed him, grateful for his understanding.
'Sasuke...I can't believe...ugh- why did you have to come back! You BAKA! BAKA! Now your gonna sit around like everyone else and feel sorry for me...Poor Sakura with no parents...poor weak Sakura...Well I've showed them! I'm an elite jounin of ANBU...one of the deadliest assassins in our village...I don't need anyone...especially not the heartless Uchiha...no- I won't let you back in...' She layed deep in thought as they approached her home, Neji aware that she wasn't in a mood to talk.
They arrived at Sakura's home, where the kunoichi then proceeded to help Neji bandage his wounds. They didn't talk much, but both were lost too deep in thought to notice. Sakura ran her fingers back through her disheveled silk strands with a sigh, then began helping Neji remove his shirt. "You were hurt pretty bad in that last raid I take it..." He didn't comment, only layed his garmet aside as she examined a few of his larger wounds. She shook her head in annoyance and concern, happy to pour her energy into something else besides painful memories. "Neji-kun...I told you not to be so careless..."
He caught her gaze deeply with his own ice hues. "I told you I would protect you...no matter what..." She turned away, occupying her hands with medicinal herbs and bandages with a sigh. "I don't need protection...nor do I deserve it..." She turned back with a clean bandage in her hand, only to find him standing directly behind her, now very close to her body. His hand took hers as he stared into her shocked expression earnestly. "Sakura-chan...I have always kept my promise, haven't I?" His voice was barely a whisper as he searched her eyes.
She smiled slightly after a moment. "Of course Neji-kun...you have done Lee-san proud." She sighed at the thought. Lee had died some years ago of fatal injuries. Of course, being Rock Lee, he made sure his Sakura-chan was kept safe...he made his former team mate, Neji, promise to keep her under his protection when he was gone. Neji had remained true to his word. Though difficult at first, he had grown close to the reckless Haruno girl. She had something about her, it made it easy to be around her, easy to care for her.
"Its time we get back to the training ground..." She said flatly, trying to put a few things away with her back to Neji. He sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her when she wanted to train. She did it routinely and in every spare moment of her time. She stopped fidgeting with her hands a moment, pausing as if a thought had crossed her mind. "Neji-kun...you know- if you don't want to come...I mean, if you need to rest..."
"No...I'm fine- we can- " His hand went to her waist comfortingly, but immediately recoiled as she yelped in pain involuntarily. His brow furrowed in concern and confusion until he looked down, his fingertips laced with blood that had been seeping through her tattered black top unnoticed. "Sakura...what- when did this happen? Why didn't you- " "Neji... " She cut him short as soon as she had gathered her ragged breathes back under her calm control, trying to put up a front and brush it off. "Its nothing Neji-kun...just a small cut from the fight..."
Neji gave her a cold glare, one of his infamous looks. This was serious- she had lost at least a half-pint of blood from that wound already, judging by the length of time it had been bleeding. She was a skilled medic-nin, so she had probably done all she could for it herself- which was probably the only reason she had made the long trip back to Konaha without it giving her trouble. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed. "C'mon Sakura..." She looked at him sternly, but he simply returned the gaze until she submitted to sitting on the nearby table, lifting her shirt to reveal the extent of her wound.
It was a rather large gash in her side, just above her hip. It looked as though it were caused by a single blow- most likely a powerful jutsu. She winced unwillingly as he began to clean and bandage the skin. Most of the bleeding had thankfully subsided, so he figured she would heal without problem in a couple of weeks. But that was the problem...Sakura wasn't the type to take things slowly anymore...she would probably turn right around and reopen this wound in training if she wasn't careful.
He sighed, finishing the wrapping around her stomach carefully. He hadn't spoken since he started, hadn't even looked her in the eyes, but she just watched him with those deep green orbs in silence, frustrated with her vulnerability and he frustrated with her recklessness. She slid off the table stiffly, walking into another room where she changed into a tight sleeveless mid-drift and black shorts, her forehead protector changed from on her arm to around her neck loosely.
She washed her hair lazily, all the black coming clean in the cool water and washing down the drain to reveal her untainted cherry locks again. Yes, it was temporary. She always had her hair black, but for certain reasons- she couldn't make it permanent. She sighed, coming back out to find Neji waiting as she towel dried her tresses. He looked up, seemingly hesitant to speak as he gave her a softer glare. She could tell what he was thinking- he always gave her a reminiscent glare when she wore something like this- whenever she took out the fake black from her hair- ...like he could see the old Sakura somewhere in her.
"I have to go to...well...you know..." She turned away from him with almost a regretful note in her trailing words. "I know." He stood, making his way for the door. "I'll see you first thing in the morning, Sakura-chan..." And with that, he was out the door. Sakura soon left as well. She was walking through the streets, unaware of anything around her. She looked ahead in an unfocused gaze, staring into nothing but empty space. A few villagers would stop and turn her way, but most everyone knew where she was going- they knew what time of day it was.
Soon enough she had passed the training fields and walked over the bridge where team 7 use to meet. She paid no attention to anything- until she came to the edge of everything she had known- on the outskirts of the village, in a quiet and secluded place. It stood tall- the memorial to the KIA. Killed in Action. There, inscripted coldly were the names of those fallen. She bowed her head, averting her eyes until she came upon another memorial. She softened. It was as if time had returned Sakura to her old self. Her kind smile crossed her lips and tears lightly glistened in her brilliant green hues.
"Hi Lee-kun...its me again...Sakura..." Her voice was soft, with a bittersweet taste. She had to look the part when she visited them...her parents and Lee...she didn't feel right coming here unless she looked somewhat like she use to- and Lee would never forgive her if she dyed her hair. "Neji-kun is doing just as he promised he would...but I- I'm not who I was...I can't live like you wanted me to..." She lowered her head as she bent down, sitting in front of the gravestone- her heart screaming in agony. "I've ...I'm stronger ...stronger than I was then...I'm trying...I'm trying so hard Lee-kun...but...but -he's back and ...it hurts Lee-kun...everything hurts so much..." Her fingers gripped the ground before her, the dusk falling faster as the daylight faded away.
Memories plagued her mind, reprimanding her for her mistakes. 'Stupid girl...you couldn't save him...you couldn't save them either...you couldn't even stop that baka from leaving! ...weak...and you always have been...' She bit down on her lip, so hard she half expected to taste blood. "NO! ...not anymore...I'm the best...I'm the strongest..." She hit the ground with her fist, trying to relieve her frustration. 'So why are you here...why is he here? Why are they here! If you're so strong- WHY ARE THEY ALL LAYING DEAD IN THE GROUND!' Tears rolled faster to stain the grass under her.
She could hear his voice echo in the back of her mind- the only piece of sanity she could retain. 'Sakura-chan...I want you to move on...I want you to live- live for the day when you'll be happier...the day when my Sakura-chan will smile like she use to...for me...' She held on to it- the thought that she had to go on for them. It had been 3 years...three years since she first started to break...and now- those small cracks she once patched together had shattered her into this. She lifted herself onto her feet, gathering it all as she always did- as she had learned to do 3 years ago. This was it. She had to go back now. The day was over.
And this was her routine...she would train hard all day, then beat herself down in front of the memorials of her parents and her fallen comrade, Rock Lee. She was falling, faster and deeper into her own insanity...and everyone knew it. She had promised them she would visit everyday, and she did. No matter what it did to her, no matter that it killed a piece of her each time. When she was away on a mission, it was probably better for her- not having to stare their graves down- just throwing herself into her work. But when she returned, it was back to normal. Making her way down to the graves at the end of the day, all alone- where she mourned them, ask forgiveness from them, begged them to come back, and most of all...wished she were lying there beside them. When your heart is empty...there is nothing left to spill but your life...
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How was it? Well...it gets a little more fluffy, a little more dramatic, and a little cliffy...hope you enjoy! R&R! Ja ne!
Next chappy: Sasuke runs into a cold Sakura on the training field, but she isn't interested in giving an explaination for herself. Lee is dead! Your with NEJI! It really has been a long three years...