Sakura stared up at the grey clouds that rained tears upon her. She listened closely to the sorrows they whispered upon their descent.

Standing before the Memorial Stone, she really didn't want to be there but she was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

She heard the pain each tear carried, their destiny being only to travel from cloud to ground, sky to earth and she thought about her own destiny. To forever watch as her friends disappeared one by one. To try as hard as she might, yet always falling short of saving their lives. What was the point in trying when she knew it would never be enough?

She let out a whimper as she traced the name on the stone.

Hatake Kakashi.

The first of their team to fall. Her father-figure, her teacher, her friend. Gone in an instant. One of the strongest shinobi Konoha had to offer and yet, that meant nothing in the end. Being strong doesn't give you immunity to death, nor does it prolong your own. She was a fool to believe they would all live because of their strength.

As she listened to the soft pitter-patter of the rain on the stone itself, she couldn't help but cry harder. Every drop, every tear was the same. Why would she want it to rain when they looked so much like her tears? When they reminded her of the reason she was crying? Why was Kami being so cruel?

Beside her were the only two shinobi alive that could be considered a good amount stronger than her fallen teacher. The only ones she'd ever let see her tears, no matter how many smiles she faked. No matter how much she smiled or faked a laugh, they saw through her because they felt her pain as their own. That was one of the ups and downs of their relationship.

"Come on, Sakura-chan," Naruto murmured sadly, his hand on her shoulder sliding down to take her hand.

Sasuke said nothing as he stood by them. He always would, he owed them that much. Never again would he turn his back to them. To everyone else, maybe, but not his team. Naruto, thinking she wanted to be left alone, began to let her hand go.

Sakura spun around, eyes terrified and caught Naruto's hand, clenching it to her.

"Please don't let go," Sakura begged, voice frantic and pained.

Naruto and Sasuke looked at her in surprise.

"Can't we stay for a while?" Sakura asked, looking back at Kakashi's grave.

"S-Sakura…" Sasuke stated.

"It's just too hard to say goodbye," she whimpered.

They said nothing but continued to stay by her side.

But through the rain, she could hear Kakashi. Almost feel him before her.

"Open your eyes to the love around you. You may feel you're alone. But I'm here still with you. You can do what you dream. Just remember to listen to the rain."

Suddenly inspired, Sakura looked up, eyes determined. No matter how many people she loses, as long as she did gave it her all, she would not regret a thing. She tried everything she could to save Kakashi's life but he was beyond her reach and so, she was not to blame. But she will train harder, study longer, think better, be stronger and maybe, just maybe, the rain will tell a different story as they fall on their victory; her victory.