Prologue

The wind was hissing through the trees as it was only moonlight illuminating the paved path that they both stood on.

She was only seventeen, at the age where everything had a beginning. It was the start of limitless possibilities, of love and heartache. This night would probably forever be etched in her memories as she stared at the boy ahead of her with a tear stricken face.

"I-I've always watched you as you ran. It felt like you were always trying to escape your demons. I was fascinated watching your movements that were like a violent incoming storm. And you knew how I pined for you, how I looked at you, how I spent every waking hour racking my brains trying to come up with ways to make you notice me, make you smile at me. But you, you've never even given me a glance." She swallowed at the lump that was beginning to form at the back of her throat. "Was it because you wanted to hurt me as much as you were hurting?"

Her voice as soft as a whisper was quivering and her heart raced. But she knew everything had to be said or else they would always be left unsaid. All the things that she had to tell him, everything that she needed him to know would later threaten her sanity if she didn't. For the dark, handsome young man before her would be leaving tonight and perhaps she would never see him again.

He turned to her with the same cold eyes that she had come to know so well. He regarded her for a moment as her face was flooded with tears. He couldn't say that he wasn't moved, that he didn't yearn to reach out and offer her some comfort. But there were other things that he had committed his self to, things that couldn't be hindered by the foolish notion of love. As he had hardened his heart before to be numb to the feelings of loneliness that haunted him for as long as he could remember, he hardened it again to break hers. "Are you blaming me for always making a fool of your self with this infatuation you have over me?"

"Sasuke-kun…" Her voice was pleading but his words were more biting and harsh.

"Don't delude you're self, I've never once given you enough thought to want to hurt you for my sake."

She pressed her eyes closed hard trying to stop the tears, "You're wrong!" She cried out "If it was a delusion, it wouldn't hurt this much! I- I love you more than anything! There is nothing I wouldn't do for you!"

"Shut up!" he barked at her "What makes you think I care? There is nothing in this forsaken town, not you or anyone else that could make me stay!"

His words were like thorns to her; even in the end he didn't grant any compassion. "You're cruel Sasuke-kun!" she said as she fell to her knees "You'll regret this…you'll get tired of always being alone. I only hope that happens before you're done pushing everyone away!"

He had his back to her and was still as he thought over what she had said.

"This is what I chose for myself."

It was the last thing he uttered as he walked away from her. It had to be done he told himself. 'I'm sorry, Sakura' he apologized to her silently. He knew well from a young age that it was only heartache if anything that changed a person. He hoped the pain he had given her would change her feelings towards him. Sakura kept her eyes on the ground as she heard his footsteps getting farther and father away. 'Don't go! Don't leave me!' she begged silently. A few feet away cerulean blue eyes watched as she sobbed, hiding his presence behind the overgrown oak tree that was usually a rendezvous point. Yes, seventeen was a time of many beginnings, even of ends.

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Hi, it's been a while since I posted at all. I was in the mood to experiment so I decided to write this even though I really should finish a paper that's due. It's usually when I have work due that I get inspired to write stories, and that's the story of my life. This will probably be my last (hopefully!) author's note, I'd like to keep my presence minimum to non-existent so as not to distract you from the reading. Here are a couple of points I'd like for you to consider.

Please give an insightful review, although I like to be flattered, you'd better serve me if you pointed out my flaws. (As a writer mind you, not my character!)

I'll start off with the T rating and move up if needed so bear with me on that.

I'd like to make Friday the official day of updating. Check in around then if you're interested in more.

Other than that happy reading my beloved readers!