Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

I. The Beginning of the End?

Uchiha Sasuke

For as long as I could remember, it had always been the three of us. Me. Naruto. Sakura. Inseparable and attached to the hip. Or at least that's what I thought. We always worked so well together. Sakura would break the fights between Naruto and I while Naruto and I always kept Sakura out of trouble. She used to hide behind the both of us, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. It's always been that way. It's always worked for us.

Which is why I never would have imagined us drifting apart. Of course, the universe always seems to find a way to fuck everything up for no reason. Cause feelings to get hurt when there was no ill intention.

Although I always complained about Sakura hiding behind Naruto and I, and acted coldly towards her… she was still one of my precious people. Not that I would ever admit it to their faces, but both of those idiots mean a lot to me. Growing up together, and being neighbors, they sort of became my family away from my actual family.

Of course, there was also the fact that the three of us had gifts. We discovered these powers on an occasion where Naruto and I were left to our own devices, without Sakura to pacify the both of us. While walking through the woods about three years ago, when we were ten years old, Naruto managed to rile me up yet again, but this time, he really pushed me to the edge, causing me to actually spew fire from my mouth. Unfortunately, I managed to set some of the trees around me on fire. Then Naruto blew some air from his mouth, miraculously putting the flames out.

We quickly ran home to tell our parents. Apparently we came from a long line of magic users. Our parents were friends and went to this place called the Konoha Academy of Magic. They told us that once we graduated eighth grade, we would attend there as well. In order to prepare, however, they have been training us since.

We discovered that Sakura also had powers recently - about a week ago to be exact. It was one of the rare times that Sakura was actually angry at not only Naruto, but also me. We were relaxing near the pond in my backyard when we began to argue with each other. It resulted in Sakura dowsing us with water she summoned from the pond. To say Naruto and I were surprised would be an understatement. This had apparently been the first time she had ever seen her powers herself.

Naruto had quickly stopped yelling and told her about our powers as well. He told her about how we have been training with our parents for the past three years and how we were going to go to the Konoha Academy of Magic. That day, Sakura mumbled something that we could not hear and then proceeded to pick her things up and leave. She waved a quick goodbye and I haven't spoken to her since - or really seen her either. Something's up, and I'm going to figure out what it is.

Uzumaki Naruto

While walking with my bastard of a best friend to our graduation ceremony in the auditorium, I saw Sakura outside the auditorium. This was the first time we would be able to talk to her for more than a few seconds, so I grabbed the teme and pulled him towards her.

"Hey Sakura," I said as we approached her, hearing a grunt from Sasuke next to me.

"Uh. Hey guys," she said, looking up, "We're about to be late so let's head to our-"

"We have fifteen minutes before the ceremony even starts. You've been avoiding us. Explain," stated Sasuke, causing her face to freeze.

Now that he mentioned it, Sakura had been avoiding us.

I looked around the auditorium before whispering to her, "You know, Sakura. We're the only ones we know that have powers. That means that we have to stick together now more than ever. We can all go to the Konoha Academy of Magic together! It's far but we'll have each other"

"Wait," she asked, "Were you guys gonna go there for school? For your powers? Without me?"

I frowned a little upon seeing her eyes start to tear up after saying that. It seemed that the teme and I had no idea what to say.

"Were you guys ever going to tell me," she says quietly, looking down.

"Of course," I exclaim at the same time that the teme says, "No."

"Just what I thought," she says quietly, "Let's get to our seats. I have a speech to give."

She turns around and walks into the auditorium as the teme and I look at each other with puzzled expressions before I yell, "What do you mean you weren't going to tell her?"

Sasuke just scoffs and walks into the auditorium leaving me behind. I run into the auditorium once I realized the ceremony was about to start.

Sakura was giving a speech due to her having the best grades in our class. Like a valedictorian, but for middle school. Although she has confessed her love to her precious Sasuke-kun countless times, I couldn't but help to feel my heart ache a little as I saw her giving her speech. You would have to be blind to not notice that Sakura was pretty, but add the fact that she was smart and athletic too, and she's everybody's dream girl. It's a shame she's in love with a teme. Although I see her as family, I could see why some of the guys in our class were in love with her, not that teme or I would ever let them approach her.

Haruno Sakura

As soon as I finished giving my speech, I sat down and waited until I got my diploma and we were all told to leave for summer break. I quickly grabbed my parents and left, but not without saying a quick hello to Sasuke and Naruto's parents. I just didn't want to see Sasuke or Naruto, their parents didn't know I had powers and they're also not my best friends so I don't blame them for anything.

This might seem selfish of me, but I am way more than angry at Sasuke and Naruto for not telling me about their powers. We were essentially family and they decided to keep me in the dark. I was so used to being in their shadow. They are so likeable. They are awesome. I am neither of that. I hoped that as soon as we got to high school, we would still remain as close friends as always. Seeing as how our parents had been friends since before we were even born, I never doubted that. Yet, now I saw what was really happening. They would have left me behind without a second doubt.

They were always closer to each other than they were with me. I just never thought they would ever turn their back on me and leave me without saying anything. We never kept secrets from each other… or at least I thought we didn't.

After discovering my powers, and hearing that they were getting ready for the Konoha Academy of Magic, I ran home and told my parents. They told me they were surprised that I hadn't shown any signs of having powers until then. They also told me that I would go to the Konoha Academy of Magic. I had told them that I didn't want to go there… yet. I didn't want to be in the same place as Sasuke and Naruto. We had agreed that I would be sent to Paris to study under their old friend, Senju Tsunade for five years before enrolling in the Konoha Academy of Magic.

Seeing as how I would probably not come back to our hometown for five years, I packed most of my belongings. My parents somehow managed to teleport all of it to Senju-shishou's home. Knowing I was leaving home tomorrow, and would probably never see Sasuke and Naruto again, I decided to write some of my thoughts down. A final goodbye.

Dear Sasuke and Naruto,

I hope this letter finds you well. It must have been pretty annoying lugging me around for 12 years, huh. Despite me being older than the both of you, you guys seemed to always protect me regardless. I was always in your shadow. Seeing as how you guys would have dropped me to go study magic far away from home… I suddenly realize that I cared for you guys so much more than you ever cared for me.

I've always been afraid that you would realize how useless I am to you guys. You were always better when I wasn't there to hold you guys down. But now you don't have to worry about that.

Not that you guys would even try, but don't try to find me. Our parents are sworn to secrecy. This will be better for the both of us. This will help me grow and learn to live without you guys, just as I should have done from the beginning…

Yet… I can't stay mad at you guys. Ever. So I guess this is it, then.

I love you guys,

Sakura.

"Fuck."

"..."

A few days after graduation, Naruto and Sasuke approached the Haruno's home asking for Sakura, confused when they only received an envelope with their names on it. Confused with the sad smile the Harunos gave them. Confused when they said they were welcome any time they were back home. Confused when they read the tear-stained letter - was it like that when they opened the letter? - and felt their world shift on its axis.