Yah, I decided to rewrite my other story so it made a whole lot more sense. I'm not even sure that sentence made sense. I'm trying to add more detail, I might be trying too hard so don't laugh at me. See, I've got this whole issue where I jump right to the point without really explaining anything. I also like to make little smiley faces like this one ('-') Happy Dance! ('-')

Author's note – March 7, 2006…I've edited this since I last wrote it. So it may be different if any of you have read it. This is something a saved from my old account because I thought it had potential. By the way, March 9th is my birthday!

Now the legal stuff: I do not own Naruto or anything even close to it. All I own is a dog, a collection of bracelets, earlobes that have been pierced three times, and a habit of writing too little detail.

They were different. That was as simple as you could put it. Their differences kept them apart for so many years, no matter how hard she tried or how long she held on. They had one thing in common though, determination. She was determined to win his heart; he was determined to push her away. No matter what happened, though, nothing would make them quit without a fight. She would never stop chasing him; he would never listen to her.

Before she went to sleep, Haruno Sakura thought about him. Both of them, her team. Naruto was always the goofy one (believe it!) and Sasuke…he was the quiet one. The one she tried so desperately to win over, but failed miserably each time.

She gave thought to Naruto and how she was wonderful in his eyes. How he chased after her, constantly calling her name and announcing that she loved him. She didn't love him. In a way, Sakura was like Naruto. His annoying infatuation toward her must be like that she had towards Sasuke.

She gave extra thought to Sasuke; so much thought that her brain needed rest. He was wonderful in her eyes. He would always be wonderful in her eyes. But he would also always be cold toward her. Especially since he had tons of other girls eyeing him and giggling when he walked by. He would be sure to find the perfect girl for him, secretive and quiet. Not like Sakura with a loud mouth and a large forehead.

Tonight, in particular, she felt lonelier than she usually did. Without her parents with her, off on a mission she supposed, it was quiet and the atmosphere seemed colder and eerier. What was she thinking! She's a ninja; she can kick butt if it tried to attack her in the middle of the night. Then why was she so scared?

They weren't really ninjas. Only inexperienced trainees. Maybe that's why Sakura felt unprotected and alone. She had, in fact, met Naruto and Sasuke and Kakashi just months ago. She knew that Naruto was courageous and that Sasuke was the best ninja, but what was she? Was she just what they always told her, brains? She was beginning to feel weak and insignificant compared to everyone else.

She shuddered. If she was so weak then she couldn't really fend off advanced ninjas in the middle of the night. She yearned for Sasuke…maybe even Naruto. Just some sort of company throughout the night.

By now the sun had left view. The stars shone dimly, but Sakura could tell that they were there. A moon shone through a layer of misty clouds darkening her surroundings which only worried her more as she entered her darkened room.

It was hours before she started to drift off to sleep. For some reason she felt like someone was watching her. Maybe lots of people feel like that when they are alone in a house in the night. Maybe she was just noticing it now. She kept these thoughts in her head until she finally fell asleep…but not for long.

Maybe just hours later a starling crash echoed through the halls. Sakura bolted upward. Her heart was pounding fiercely as she listened to hushed voices coming from the kitchen. She gulped and breathed in deeply. Then she stepped out into the open and wandered carefully towards her kitchen.

There were certainly people there, but Sakura almost recognized one of them. She stepped into the open, no longer against the wall. She guessed right.

"NARUTO! What are you doing here?" Sakura yelled at the startled boy who was looking through Sakura's food.

"It was all Sasuke's idea," Naruto defended himself while still pondering around.

"Sasuke…" she breathed. "Where is he?"

Naruto did not need to answer. Just then Sasuke came into sight, checking under furniture and in enclosed spaces. Then he slinked off into another area out of sight. Sakura froze. Sasuke was searching her house! What if he found something 'personal'?

"What is going on, Naruto?" she sighed and slapped her forehead.

"Well, it all started when I was eating ramen. There was this big crash…I don't know what it was. But I ran for it and bumped into Sasuke who bumped into some other guy. When I tried to apologize to this man, he got all sweaty and ran off…but he dropped something," Naruto paused and stared at Sakura.

"And?" Sakura watched as Sasuke slid around the corner again.

"It was this note and Sasuke picked it up and it was addressed to you. I didn't read it, but Sasuke crumpled it up and stuffed it in his pocket. He got all angry and stuff and ordered me to follow him to your house. I told him we shouldn't disturb sweet Sakura-chan while so was sleeping, but he had to be the big showoff he is and come here," Naruto smiled his big, obnoxious smile.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura looked around her for the investigating Sasuke. "What are you doing here so late?"

Sasuke stopped and glared at Naruto and then he gaze swept over to Sakura and he quickly looked at his pocket. He tore out the crumpled note and threw it at Naruto's head then continued his search for the unknown.

Naruto smiled and Sakura and opened the note. He stretched out the wrinkles so he could read it and began to frown. "Pervert." He said shortly and handed the note to Sakura.

Inside the piece of paper was a sakura petal that had been ripped and wrinkled. Only five words were written in untidy scrawl.

I will be watching you

Naruto was overjoyed to hear Sasuke announce that they would be spending that night at Sakura's residence. He said it was strictly for protection purposes. Naruto was still exited, though, and beamed every time Sakura passed him, making tea.

She poured the tea into cups and placed them in front of Naruto and Sasuke before bustling off to find extra blankets and pillows. Sasuke still had not said a word. Naruto kept muttering to him that he only suggested they stay there was so Sasuke could 'get close to Sakura-chan'.

Sasuke remained silent. Naruto babbled on about how he was only using the note as an excuse to be near Sakura and how Naruto did not like that. When Sakura came back into the room, Sasuke looked relieved. Naruto glared at Sasuke as he helped Sakura place the blankets in the main hall.

"I'm going off to sleep now," Sakura looked tired from her shock. "I'll wake you in the morning."

Something told her, as she exited the room, that Sasuke would not need waking. She blushed. Maybe he would keep watch all night, protecting her!

Thanks for reading my re-do of an old story. Hope you like it! Remember I metioned my birthday? Ten bonus points to anyone who can guess how old I am turning/turned on March 9th!