Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto"

Alone

Chapter 1: Abandon

His nin-sandals made a soft pattering upon the cobbled street. His eyes shifted from the ground as he noticed garish pink hair before him. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Of course she'd come to stop him.

"Why are you out so late?" Sasuke asked without true interest.

"The only way for you to leave Konoha is to take this road." Sakura said sadly.

"Go home." He replied as he walked right pass her.

A single tear fell down her cheek. "I knew you'd leave without saying goodbye." Sakura said, but he didn't stop. "Why won't you talk to me? Why don't you let anyone in? Why won't you tell me any—"

"Why should I tell you anything?" Sasuke cut her short, anger laced in his voice. She was crying now, tears falling freely. "You meddle too much. Stop bothering me."

They stood quiet for a moment before the corners of Sakura's lips turned up in a sad smile. "You act like you hate me, Sasuke-kun." She said and he stopped to listen. "Do you remember the day we became genin and the rookie nine teams were formed? We were put together on Team 7. We were right here in this spot. You were angry with me, weren't you?" She looked up hoping he'd turn around. "I spoke about things I had no understanding of. I believed that Naruto was so obnoxious because he was alone and had no parents to obey. You said I didn't know what it was like to be alone. You said I was annoying."

"I don't remember." He said flatly.

Her heart broke a little. "S-sure, that was a long time ago…" she tried to be strong. "But it started that day… you and I, and Naruto and Kakashi-sensei. The four of us went on so many missions. Those were tough and difficult times, but… more than anything… we had so much fun!" She watched him, unmoving as he was, to see if he would respond, but when he didn't she continued. "I know about your family, Sasuke… but revenge won't bring anyone happiness. No one. Not you… and not me."

"You would say that."

Sakura looked up at Sasuke when his voice made a sudden appearance.

"I'm not the same as you. I'm walking a road that's unsuitable for the rest of you. The four of us have worked together and it's true that I once believed that we could continue to do so." He still didn't look her way, he still spoke with his back to the green eyed girl. "I once believed that we would always be teammates, I wish it could be that way, but I've always known what my destiny is. I am an avenger. Revenge has been my reason for living." Sasuke's eyes narrowed in hate.

Sakura listened, tears streaming in her sorrow.

"I can't be like you and Naruto."

"Are you going to isolate yourself, Sasuke?" Sakura yelled. "You taught me that solitude is a difficult thing!" Her voice lowered to almost a whisper. She had seen Sasuke struggle, but she'd also seen him let down his guard. She longed to see his stony exterior come crashing down. "Now, I know exactly how it feels. I have my family and friends… but if you were no longer a part of my life, Sasuke, if you were no longer here for me… that would be the same thing as solitude." Her tears fell like rain upon the pavement below her feet. "Don't abandon me."

Sasuke remembered his friends, the times they had. He knew he couldn't go on with them. There was a change coming and he would be a part of it. "From here… we'll begin walking our separate paths."

It was like he hadn't heard a word she said, and she became frantic. "I… I love you with all my heart, Sasuke! If you'll only be with me, I won't let you regret it, no matter what! We'll have fun every day, I'll make sure of that. I can make you happy. I'll do anything for you, Sasuke. So… I'm begging you, please stay here! I'll even help you with your revenge." She couldn't believe she'd said it, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was him. "I'll make it happen somehow, I promise you. So stay here… with me." The clouds lifted and the moon shone on the two. "Or if you truly can't… then take me with you…"

Sasuke turned, "Would you leave Naruto behind?" He asked almost angrily.

Sakura looked up at the surprising words.

"He loves you as much, if not more, than you claim to love me. Would you leave Naruto behind, force him to be alone again?"

"He can't make me happy like you can," Sakura whispered.

"Have you ever thought to give him a chance?"

"Have you ever given me a chance?" She yelled. "No one out there will love you, they'll only use you!"

He smirked, "You haven't changed, you're still annoying."

"Sasuke, if you leave, I'll scream." She blinked as he vanished before her eyes.

And then she felt him, his presence, behind her. She could feel warmth as drew closer to her until his mouth was close to her ear. He whispered to her with an affection she had never heard.

"Thank you, Sakura… for everything."

Her heart fluttered and then light sparkled in her eyes. Everything went black.

Sasuke took Sakura's limp body and carried her to the bench nearby. He laid her gently down gazed at her. Her brow was crumpled in pain and her hands clutched to him. He knelt over her face, hovering a moment longer to stare at her porcelain skin and then he left a kiss upon her cheek that she would never know about. Her brow eased at the contact. A small smile lifted his lips when he saw peace fall upon her face. His fingers lingered on her soft hand a moment and then he stood.

"I'll come back one day…"

A/N Alrighty! So this is the new updated version of chapter 1. It's not super different, but it's got a little more... fluff I guess would be the right term. And I have to admit, I think the dialog is a little better. So what'd you think? Leave me some love!