A/N: Yay, another chapter! And you only had to wait what, a month? Haha... Sorry bout the wait! I promise I still remember you guys!

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to its rightful owners.

Chapter 11: Falling for You, CB

When did Haruno Sakura fall in love with Uchiha Sasuke?

Not when they first met. Not when they were genin, side-by-side, completing missions and grueling training sessions. Not when she asked him out spontaneously on more than one occasion, and he rejected her all the while.

When she fell in love with Uchiha Sasuke, she realized exactly how dense she'd been all those years.

It was a rainy April afternoon, some time after he'd left her with an empty apology and an even emptier heart. To starve away the loneliness, she slaved away at work. All day, every day. The hospital became her second home, and after a while the pain was numb. Still there- it would always be there- but lacking the sharp bitter stabs of heartache that threatened to overwhelm her every now and then.

Seasons overlapped seasons, and over time she became renown everywhere for her healing abilities, sharp wit, intelligence, and unparalleled strength. Her fame pleased her, but not for the obvious reasons.

If I'm really that well-known, she mused, then maybe he's heard of me. Maybe he'll come back to me.

She didn't allow herself to entertain any thoughts of his demise. He must be alive, he must be. And one day, someday, he'd be back, Naruto smiling like an idiot by his side, Kakashi smirking silently behind the two, a perverted novel in his hands.

So she worked, and she worked, and she worked some more, until it was that aforementioned rainy April day. She was greeted by the sight of a note from her mentor, the Godaime, lying listlessly on her office desk. In it specified mission details- to travel to a nearby village, heal a new, unknown illness, and return. Simple. She packed lightly and dressed heavily, and then she was on her way.

The village was indeed small. No more than a dozen scattered homes, a smattering of slightly larger building, and a miniature park that seemed to double as the training grounds. She was treated to a small feast and hailed like a high priestess. Three hours passed before she finally thought to inquire on the patient's condition.

Stable, she was told. Stable but curious.

She told them to lead the way and that they did. He was lying on a cot, turned away from her. Spiky raven locks graced the top of his head.

Quietly, as to not disturb him, she sat down but hear her he did. He turned, and she saw a familiar face then and there.

Sasuke, she breathed.

He just stared at her with empty eyes.

Sasuke, it's me, she tried.

He blinked twice.

A man entered the room. He told how they had found him, badly injured and near death, and nursed him to health. He seemed healthy, but he didn't remember a thing. Perhaps she could help him?

She breathed in sharply, the sound shrill to her ears. Talk to me, she commanded, staring deep into his blank onyx eyes. They were devoid of recognition, and her heart was marred by a familiar pinch.

Do you remember me, she asked him quietly.

He shrugged. Hn.

She burst into sudden laughter, incredulous laughter, the insane laughter of someone going mad. Her chest still heaving with a mixture of giggles and dry sobs, she smiled. How do I look to you, Sasuke? Crazy? Insane? Delusional?

He shook his head slowly. Stupid, he confirmed. You look stupid.

And that was the moment she, Haruno Sakura, fell in love with Uchiha Sasuke.

A/N: I actually think this was one of my better pieces. I even contemplated publishing it as its own story but ultimately decided it's too short. Only 550 words, give or take.

Hope you enjoyed it, please review!

~HauntedMoonlight~