This is kinda like a prologue--review please...tell me if I started it out okay!

DISCLAIMER- I do not own Naruto.


Chapter One: Nightmare Of My Dreams

"All the things I've seen in those hazy dreams can't compare to what I'm seeing now."


It was just one of those nights where she couldn't sleep. It was no different, except to cure her inescapable insomnia she decided to take a walk. It was late, maybe midnight.
She was having that dream again, the one that could wake her from the deepest slumber. It was the recollection of memories she had from when he decided to leave.

It wasn't really a dream, more like a nightmare. One that, unlike her dreams...happened to be very real.


Sakura was slowly walking down a deserted street near the edge of town. She was rubbing her arms, feeling slightly cold. It was chilly out and she was only in her pajamas, a white tank top and long bright pink pants. Her hair was long now, arriving just above her hips. It was smooth, and still a pale shade a pink. She was wearing it down, and it was swaying very gently with the light breeze.

She finally reached the spot. The spot where he had said his goodbyes, and left her. The bench to her right was empty and brought back a tinge of pain to her heart. She remembered that night all too well. She slowly halted her steps and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. It was hard to relive those memories but she knew that she could never move on if she didn't.

"Sakura?"

Her eyes bolted open, her breath catching in her throat. It was that voice. She knew that voice. She whipped her head around to the bench on her right. She froze. This wasn't a dream. Yet there he was, simply sitting on the bench. His elbows were leaned against his knees, his head in his hands. Emotionless, he looked her over, making sure she was who he thought she was. Her throat tightened.

"Sakura, huh."

He said in a low, completely bored tone. Her eyes widened. No doubt, there he was. Sasuke Uchiha. He sighed heavily and stood up, never removing his eyes from hers. She found herself trembling, unable to move. Her heart was racing faster than ever.

"Sa-Sasu?" She stammered. Her lips just wouldn't form the words. He finally removed his eyes from hers and he turned his back toward her and started walking away. She bit her lip. "W-Wait!" She shouted, clearly louder than she needed. He stopped, not turning to face her. The wind gentle froliced through his now longer hair. She took a deep breathe. "Sasuke?" She said, as firmly as possible. She swallowed hard and took a step toward him. "It's you...isn't it?" She asked, more of a statement than anything else.

"Hn."

Her eyes started tearing up. This can't be. "Sasuke! Why are you here!?" She blurted out, unaware of how loud she was speaking. He sighed. "Sakura, lower your voice. You're not twelve anymore" Sakura took another step toward him. "A-answer me." She said, much quieter than before. "Y-you...you're a missing nin. You can't be here. If Lady Tsunade finds out she-"

"-Won't." He reappeared behind Sakura, finishing her sentence. Sakura's heart clenched and she felt panic creep over her body. The breeze tickled her skin, sending chills up her body, leaving goosebumps on her arms. "Cold?" Sasuke asked, almost seductively. Sakura flinched. She was scared, no doubt about it. This wasn't some dream she could wake up from. She slowly raised her hand to her arm, trying to rub away the goosebumps.

"Go home." Sasuke whispered behind her. Her eyes widened and she spun around to face him. Her breath slowed as she caught a glimpse of his face, still as handsome as before. He looked at her as emotionless as before as well. She gasped quietly and he took a stop toward her, closing the gap between them. They were close enough she could feel his warm breath on her face. "N-No." She stated, swallowing hard, once again. Sasuke smirked. "Even after all of this time..."

"I'm still annoying." Sakura finished, her eyes tearing up once again. She closed her eyes trying to fight back the tears when she felt Sasuke's hand rest on her arm.

"Yeah, pretty much." He said quietly, he ran his hand down her arm, sending more chills through her body. "You're going to get sick. Go home." He stated, removing his hand from her arm and walking past her.

She felt the tears escape her eyes and trickle down her face, she turned around as fast as she could and grabbed onto the back of his shirt, halting his steps once more. "No! Tell me why you're here! Tell me, Sasuke! I-I..." Her voice trailed out and sobs escaped her. Sasuke turned his head slightly to see her eyes clench tightly, her head hanging down.
"It isn't important." He groaned, growing impatient. Sakura pulled herself onto Sasuke's back, leaving him slightly startled. Only slightly. "It is! It is important...to me, Sasuke." She whimpered, holding onto his shirt as if life depended on it.

He sighed and turned around sharply, grabbing her wrists. She winced, opening her eyes and looking up at him. His face looked slightly irritated. "You haven't changed much, Sakura. Still that same girl who believes everything will turn out alright in the end...you think this is your dream, don't you." She felt hurt by his statement, and felt herself getting angry. He, on the other hand, returned to his completely stoic expression, looking into her eyes. "But things are different now, and you know what..." He leaned in closer, and let his lips gently touch her ear. "There's no such thing as a happy end...and you know...this is your nightmare."

Sakura felt a sudden pain split through her neck and stretch itself over her body. Her vision was becoming dark and before she knew it...it really had just become only a nightmare.


Next Chapter: Convincing The Enemy