A/n: Ok my story does not follow the Naruto Anime or Manga series. I know that the characters are around 12 and 13 during the Chuunin exam but for my story's purpose they well be 16. I would love reviews and I would really appreciate constructive criticism. I would prefer no flames but if you feel my story is that bad, then please feel free to let me know.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.
Night had fallen but that did not stop the celebration that took place in the hidden leaf village that continued on well into the morning. The celebration was for the competitors that had won in the third round of the Chuunin exams and would be competing in a tournament within a month's time. It was a fleeting moment of fun and tranquility before the pressure of training set into the minds of the participants. Everyone from young and old seemed to be enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, except for one young girl. She sat smiling sadly as the sounds of laughter and the strong aroma of foods gently wafted up to meet her on a cliff above the town. The girl was currently sitting near the edge of a cliff, watching the stars in the sky, silently mocking her own weakness. I'm pathetic, I should have trained harder and now because I didn't train like the others, I wasn't strong enough. Why do I have to be so weak, wondered Sakura.
"It's not fair," an angry Sakura said out loud. "I'm not good enough and I will never be good enough. I can't compete with Sasuke, Naruto, and Lee. Hell I can't even manage to beat Ino." After her sudden outburst, Sakura grew quiet once more and let her mind delve deeper into her depressing self-hating thoughts. The others didn't understand, she doubted they even knew how deeply this affected her. Sakura was the weak one on her team, if it wasn't for Naruto and Sasuke, she knew she never would have made it this far into the exams. They were the reason she tried so hard, yet no matter how hard she tried it never seemed good enough. I wasn't even close to their level, why did I even bother, Sakura thought while letting out a deep sigh.
Thinking of Naruto and Sasuke was bitter sweet. They did not even stay for the festival, as soon as the instructions were given both had taken off to some unknown place to train. Bowing her head, she thought about how they didn't even tell her good-bye. After all the time spent together, she figured that she at least deserved a good-bye. She missed both her team mates very much. Naruto, though extremely annoying at times, could make her laugh and smile no matter what the circumstances. She had known him practically her whole life but the time together in team seven brought out a deeper bond between them that she thought meant something. Apparently their supposed friendship meant more to her than it ever had to him. Now Sasuke was an entirely different story. She had been in love with him for forever. Yet no matter what she tried, he was always cold and distant. Being put on the same team as him was a blessing, now she could finally prove to him she was worth something. In the end though, her love for Sasuke began to diminish as the reality of life set in. Sasuke was never going to love her, at least not the way she wanted him to. Sakura's love for him soon dissolved into respect and friendship. Once again, like Naruto, he didn't seem to hold that in high regard.
The stars twinkled mysteriously overhead as a cool breeze blew her soft pink hair gently across her face. Looking up at the sky, tears running slowly down her porcelain face because now she was unsure of her purpose in life. Being a ninja just didn't make sense right now, life had thrown her an obstacle that she was not sure she could overcome. With a heavy heart, Sakura stood up from the hard ground of the cliff and slowly made her way down until she reached the path that lead to her home. She would think about her future tomorrow, right now all she wanted was sleep.
Pushing his way through the crowded streets of the hidden leaf village, a young man with fiery red hair narrowed his heavily lined eyes in annoyance. This so called celebration is just a waste of time, he thought angrily. His head throbbed painfully from all the noise and his extremely short and volatile temper was being pushed to its limit. He had to get away before his anger got the best of him. Finally turning down a deserted dirt road, he made his way to the ominous dark forest that surrounded the village. His thoughts soon turned to the tournament and his training. He had a month starting tomorrow that allowed him to come up with new strategies. A hard look came over his face thinking of his competition. Shikamaru, Shino, Temari, and Kankurou would be more of an annoyance rather than an actual challenge. Now that Neji and Sasuke proved to be formidable enemies, Gaara would enjoy fighting them. The only problem was Naruto. In Gaara's opinion he was a loud mouth idiot but that didn't change the fact that he could fight. He was unsure of what kind of competition Naruto would provide for him. A frustrating problem that he could not solve, and it left Gaara feeling angry and discontent. A feeling that didn't disappear until he reached the haven of the forest.
The forest was quiet and serene with a cool breeze that soothed Gaara's overheated skin and a feeling of calm soon spread through his being. Breathing in the sweet night air, he heard an angry voice coming from the distance. A shock looked came over his face as he wondered why someone would be missing tonight's grand festivities. As silent as predator stalking its prey, he moved quickly through the forest intent on discovering the person disrupting his rarely content mind. Reaching the edge of the forest, he spied a petite girl gazing brokenly toward the heavens.
She looks familiar, Gaara contemplated thoughtfully. Hmm . . . pink hair that is unusual. Gaara's eyes widened slightly as the memory of the pink haired girl flashed through his mind. That is the pathetic fan girl of Uchiha. What is she doing out here? Hidden in the shadows, he continued to watch her gazing hopelessly into the night. With her face tilted upwards, the moonlight provided enough light to show her flawless pale skin stained with tears running smoothly down her face. The breeze blew her short silky locks of hair from her face giving her an ethereal beauty that Gaara doubted could ever be surpassed. Gaara was startled by the thought that passed through his mind. Why in the world would I care how she looked, she is just a weak ninja and to make matters worse she is love with Uchiha, Gaara silently berated himself.
Suddenly as the girl stood, Gaara disappeared in a cloud of sand only to reappear on a high branch of a tree that allowed him to be hidden from her view. She seemed disheartened and terribly hopeless. Gaara studied her as she slipped through the trees on her way back to the town. Realizing how much time he wasted watching her, Gaara's suddenly content state of mind was replaced with hostility for a girl he barely remembered. He immediately settled himself on a sturdy branch to begin his meditation. He was determined to forget this night ever happened but for some reason he could not get the odd pink haired girl out of is mind. Gaara was struck with the need to find out why the thought of her refused to leave his mind. Sakura, he mused, it is oddly fitting.
A/n: Sorry that it didn't have any dialogue, but I wanted to set up the story first. I promise that the next chapter will have tons of dialogue.