I can't leave this story alone. This is a prequel to my story Breathing.

"Thank you."

The words burn in my ears for the length of two entire heartbeats before I feel a sharp jab in my spine, and blackness consumes me as my heart breaks.

I screamed, long and loud. The high, keening noise vibrated in my ears, causing an extreme pain on the inside of my head. I gripped my temples, still screaming, and I realized that tears were streaming down my face like miniature waterfalls. I almost embraced the pain it caused, realizing that it is much better than emptiness. Feeling a perverse sort of gratitude for the distraction, I screamed louder. Ah, yes. The pain in my ears worked well to cloud the pain in my heart. But then I remembered why I was screaming in the first place, and sincerity returned to my voice. The tears cascaded down my face.

It felt like hours before Kaa-san rushed into my room, kunai knife in hand. I realized with a guilty thud that she thought I was in danger. She'd never heard me scream like this. Ever. My screams caught in my throat at the realization, but even the guilt couldn't get me to stop crying.

Kaa-san stared at me with the eyes of a mother and a nurse, looking over me for any sort of damage. Then she realized that my pain was completely psychological, and she dropped her weapon. She sat beside me, and breathed my name as she wrapped her long arms around my heaving shoulders.

"GO AWAY!" I bellowed as I struggled out of her grip, completely blinded and crazed by the saltwater in my eyes.

"Sakura-chan?" she asked, using the long-dormant suffix in her moment of shock and worry. "Sakura-chan, what's wrong?"

Instead of replying, I buried my face in my hands. Kaa-san tried to get me to look up at her, to speak to her, but I ignored her pleas. I could feel myself starting to hyperventilate, but I couldn't seem to breathe right no matter how hard I tried, even though I knew that I'd faint if I couldn't get my lungs to work.

Kaa-san made an odd growling sound. Frustrated, I realized.

"Sakura. Breathe."

The venom in her tone got me to stop breathing altogether. I pulled my face up to her level, and I looked at her blankly.

"What did you say?" I asked without a hint of emotion.

"Breathe," she repeated, her dark green eyes fierce with some unreadable emotion.

I nodded.

Inhale…exhale.

Huh. That was easy.

Inhale. Exhale.

It felt good. Why is it just now that I realized that I have to breathe to live? Weird…

Inhaaaaaaale. Exhaaaaaaale.

This could be good. Something to focus on when I have nothing else to distract me. I looked at Kaa-san, and she seemed to be satisfied that I was breathing evenly and by my own power.

"Arigato," she said quietly. "Now"—she scooted to my side and wrapped one arm around my shoulders, her other hand moving to hold one of mine—"do you want to tell me why you were screaming?"

I put my head on her shoulder, the tears now falling silently down my pale cheeks. "Bad dream," I sighed into the cotton of her pajamas.

"About…?" she prodded gently, not trying to send me over the edge, rather to get me to let go of some of my burden.

"Sasuke-kun," I sighed.

I could feel her stiffen. She obviously had no reply ready for that, so she just hugged me tighter.

"Kaa-san?" I murmured.

"Hai, my angel?" she replied, holding me close.

"Do you think you could…leave me alone for a little while? I just…need some time to myself."

She hugged me even closer. "Of course, Sakura-chan. Just come out when you're ready, okay?"

I nodded wordlessly, slipping out of her grip and under the covers. I pulled the blanket over my head, hiding my face as I continued to cry. She patted my back, and then I felt the bed sink and rise as she left my side. The light click of the closing door told me that I was completely alone.

I was such a mess. Naruto left Konoha yesterday, and I didn't bat an eye. I knew that he was coming back, and that when he did, he'd be strong enough to bring Sasuke-kun home. And then that night would be erased. And then my heart would be whole again.

Inhale. Exhale.

I sat up, the tears still falling freely. I looked over at my bedside table, and saw the Squad Seven photo that we took one of our first days as a team. I'd been so happy just to get to stand next to Sasuke-kun and smile, thinking that nothing would ever change.

What a fool I'd been.

I picked up the blessed photo, the memory on paper, and pressed it to my heart.

Breathing became harder as the cold glass touched the bare skin of my collarbone. I shivered. "Oh, Sasuke-kun, why…? I…I love you so, so much!!"

I sobbed loudly. My heart broke more and more with each passing tear.

Short, i know, but that's just because i'm trying to get this started. And guess what. I'm actually writing this one as i go!

Duh-duh-duuun!

Scandolous, right? So, yeah, that means no more bunny chapters. (Inside joke. Tee-hee.) And past tense? What am i thinking?

Much ai to all of those who are willing to stick with me on this one. It could take a while for the next update.

Miyazaki A2