Happy Birthday, Sasuke-kun!
Girl of Light Writer: Aniecä Sophistica
Summary: All Sakura has ever wanted was her love for Sasuke to be returned. Upon his 16th birthday, she decided to stop all the hostility within him. She decides to sacrifice what she wants for him. The Ultimate Sacrifice. Her pain in her heart causes her to do what's best for Sasuke causing her to lose herself in the process, officially separating herself from Sasuke for good. However, the problem becomes that Sasuke always did love her so when she disappears and there is no way for her to return, sending him into darkness. She accidentally makes him what she had to save him from when she began. She shows him that what he is doing is wrong and it's his fault. Angst/Romance. Sasuke X Sakura also Itachi X Sakura.
A/N: This is somehow become my absolute favorite story. I really had to stop myself from writing it constantly. I like that transition, the setup and how the story is so real. I really did love it. It's my absolute favorite story. I really did enjoy. I mean how else could I write almost 70,000 words in 18 days? That must be a record. I thought that was impossible and that's also not working on nay of my real work days.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. However, I do own this storyline.
Begun on January 2, 2007 8:00pm. Finished: February 20, 2007 12:08am.
Key: ∆ (Place Change) ∆ - ¤ (Time Frame or Zone Change) ¤ - VP: Viewpoint Change – Ж (Flashback) Ж
I learned and interesting fact, the jutsu to transport places is called the Body Flicker Technique which everyone in the anime seems to use to appear and disappear.
◊ (1: A Girl Who Lost Her Purpose :: Her Purpose) ◊
∆ (Konoha) ∆ - ¤ (Age 16) ¤ - VP: 3rd Person
"Sakura, are you alright? You seem, down." Naruto said taking a seat next to her.
"Sasuke." She said mumbling.
"We tried, we can't bring him back." Naruto said.
"I know, he'll return, on his 16th birthday. I know it." She told him.
"If you're sure." He said with a smile on his face.
"Yeah, I am."
"Then what are you going to get him?" He asked.
"I'm not sure yet. I know he'll never love me so I'm just going to give up on him."
"Sakura…" He said.
"It's alright Naruto. I'll be fine. I promise you. I will be." She said.
"Alright Sakura, I hope you're right."
"I'll get him a gift though. I mean it's only fair, it is his 16th Birthday." Naruto nodded.
"16 is a great number to be, huh Sakura?" She nodded.
"It is." She said. She climbed off of the wall and proceeded to her home.
She sat down on her bed and rested her eyes. What's Wrong? Inner Sakura asked.
'I don't have a purpose anymore.' Sakura answered.
Eh, sure you do. Sakura rolled her eyes.
'No I don't have one.'
Yeah, you do. Inner Sakura argued with her. Everyone does, or they'd die.
'I just gave up on mine, so I'll die soon. I need a purpose.' Sakura explained.
What was your purpose again? Inner Sakura asked. Something to do with Sasuke, right.
'You're a genius.' Sakura related to herself sarcastically. 'I wanted to do whatever I could to make Sasuke happy, no matter what, I would. That was my purpose in life. My only purpose, now it's gone. He can't love me so there's no use making him happy if he won't love me for it.'
Depressing. Sakura rolled her eyes at herself. So what do you plan to do?
'If I knew, I wouldn't be wondering. I feel so hopeless.' Sakura related again.
Surely you have another purpose, please say you do. Sakura laughed.
'Yeah I do, to keep Naruto company and help him accomplish his goals as well as help Sasuke with his.' Inner Sakura celebrated the newfound knowledge.
See, I told you. You still have a purpose. Inner Sakura mocked her.
'Oh wait, Naruto has already reached his goals. Tsunade is training him as we speak to be the next Hokage. He'll clearly be the best. I'm the one holding him back by depressing him too.' She yelled at herself.
Oh. Not good. Sakura cried. Inner Sakura was sympathetic to herself since they both had lost their purpose.
Sakura's mom walked into the room upon hearing her daughter crying. "Sakura, what's wrong?" Her mom asked.
"I don't have a purpose any more." She was confused.
"Everyone has one, you just are yet to discover it. Your purpose now is to find a good purpose. That is your purpose. Now go back to sleep and think about what your purpose or goal in life will be."
"I had a purpose, it's just gone now."
"You mean the traitor Uchiha?" She asked.
"Yeah, he's my purpose."
"Did he love you?" She asked.
"No. That's why I no longer have a purpose."
"Don't you have any others? I mean everyone has more then one goal in life. What happens when you reached that one?" She asked.
"My goal was to do whatever I could to make Sasuke happy, and to make him love me." Sakura said crying.
"You need to move on Sakura, he's a traitor and he'll be killed if he comes back. You have to let go."
"I've let go. I assure you. It's not having a purpose that upsets me."
"I'm surprised that you were so easy to let go." She said.
"It's taken me four years, trust me, it was definitely not easy." Sakura said harshly.
"I understand. It may take you a while to find your purpose but if you need help don't be afraid to ask." Her mom said.
"Thanks but I don't think I can find a new purpose."
"If you accept that that's the only possible purpose you have in life you might as well die. You're saying that he is your life and only through him can you life. It's useless to love someone who can't love you back Sakura." Her mom said.
"Don't I know that owe too well." Sakura said.
"You said you let go but you're admitting that he's the only thing there for you. That isn't letting go Sakura." Her mom said.
"Fine, I have lost my purpose and it clearly, clearly won't come back. Morever, it clearly doesn't want to come back." Sakura returned to crying as her mom left.
"I'll leave a little gift with you that might help you. It's quite powerful but I know you'll do good with it." Her mom left the room. "Here, it's a family jutsu that we never use because it's so powerful but I'm sure that you can find good purpose for it." Sakura nodded but left the scroll closed on her desk.
"Thanks but I don't think I'm good enough to do it. How should someone who has no purpose at all be able to find a purpose for a jutsu that has none either. It's useless." Sakura figured.
"Alright, but keep it safe." Sakura nodded putting it in a vault where she kept other precious things to her in.
"A Jutsu of my family, interesting but it has no real purpose and I'm not the best one to give anything. Especially myself, a purpose." Sakura said returning to crying.
I want to read the scroll. I can find it a purpose. Inner Sakura said through the tears of herself.
Her mind wondered on the scroll while her body cried in tears about her lost of purpose. She was dying inside, slowly, without a purpose.
I want to read it! Inner Sakura yelled. Sakura giving up in her tears opened the vault and looked at the scroll.
"It's empty." Sakura said looking at the scroll. The scroll was indeed blank.
Man, that was fixed. Inner Sakura complained.
"When you're ready, you are able to read it." Her father said in the doorway.
A Jutsu Protected Scroll, must be a good jutsu if it's protected like that. Inner Sakura said.
"Yeah, it must be." Sakura agreed with herself.
"When you think of a purpose for a family jutsu, it will show itself to you. Just make sure it's a good purpose. You don't need a purpose having to do with an evil jutsu."
"I'm dying." Sakura said after her father had left.
That means I am too. Inner Sakura said depressed as well now.
Sakura fell to sleep within her thoughts wondering about a purpose for herself.
¤ (Morning) ¤
Wake Up, I have it! Inner Sakura yelled in Sakura's head.
'What?' Sakura asked.
Who said you couldn't do everything you could for Sasuke? Inner Sakura asked herself.
'That makes no sense.' Sakura responded.
Sure it does. You help Sasuke, only secretly. Inner Sakura suggested.
'I guess I could but that means I'm not over him.' She said.
Who cares? You have a purpose! Again! Inner Sakura yelled.
'What about the scroll?' Sakura questioned.
It's purpose is obviously to help you do something for Sasuke, something huge. Inner Sakura answered smartly.
'I guess, let's see if that's a good purpose.' Sakura said opening the vault once again. There were letters and seals on the scroll this time.
Complicated. Inner Sakura said.
'It does look quite, complicated.' Sakura said.
Time Lock Jutsu. This Jutsu gives the user the ability to travel through time as long as they want and can return to their own time with only 2 weeks lapsing each time it is used. This jutsu only requires a the monkey biro seal on the back to be enlaced on the user's right arm. Inner Sakura read.
'What can I do with a Time Lock Jutsu?' Sakura asked.
What does Sasuke want? Inner Sakura asked her.
'He wants to revive his clan and his brother to be dead.' Sakura said not thinking about her words.
This is too easy! You go back in time and kill Itachi before he can kill Sasuke's clan! Inner Sakura yelled excited.
'Wouldn't that just be taking away his only two purposes?' Sakura asked concerned. 'You don't understand how it is to be without a purpose. He'll hate me if we take his purpose away from him.' Sakura said.
No Way! He probably won't even remember it all. He'll have new purposes by then. He'll have his family all back and he'll be happy. He'll be eternally grateful if he does remember. Inner Sakura assured her.
'Do you think it's a good motive?' Sakura questioned.
Saving a Boy from loneliness, not so much but it is an okay motive. Saving his entire clan and killing an evil prodigy and S-Class Traitor to Konoha. I believe that is a great purpose and great motive. Inner Sakura reassured her.
'I think so too.' Sakura said.
Now comes the plan of how we will accomplish this feat. Inner Sakura said.
'It's quite hard to do. Sasuke said that he graduated the academy at 7. Accomplished Chuunin at 10. Moreover, became an ANBU leader at 13. When do we go in?' Sakura asked.
You think it through. Inner Sakura said. Sakura nodded.
'I'll cloak myself as a 7 year old and keep all my abilities. Impressing him and I'll be able to grow up with him, as his friend, and fellow ninja. He won't suspect I'll kill him a few years in the future.' Sakura thought through.
How do you plan to show up in the village 13 years ago without being noticed? IS (Inner Sakura) asked.
'I cloak myself and change my appearance a tiny bit, I mean I'm only 3 so he won't be able to tell at all.'
True.
'I'll say my parents left me when I was little in the forest and I fell upon this village. I then decided to become a ninja because I had amazing abilities I only have used to take care of myself up until this point.'
That is a great identity.
'Thanks, I figure I have to come from somewhere.'
True. What will you look like?
'I'll have light blue colored hair with blonde highlights. Green eyes, of course.'
I like that identity for you. IS said.
'Me too.'
You're going to do great at this!
'Thanks. I know I will too.'
You'll be irresistible to him. Most likely he'll challenge you to fight you know what he'll do since he has all the same moves as Sasuke. He has the normal Sharingan making it easier and he's beginning his life as a ninja, he's probably Chuunin level when he graduates.
'I know what not to do to get an Uchiha too.'
Who knew that would come in handy some day? IS said jokingly.
Sakura sighed. 'Not me.'
Neither did I but you'll be a perfect girl for him. Strong, beautiful, and talented; what every Uchiha wants. Sakura was silent.
'Why doesn't Sasuke like me then? If Itachi likes me why doesn't Sasuke?' Sakura asked with tears in her eyes.
I'm not sure. IS said sympathetic to herself.
'What does that say about Sasuke?'
It says that Itachi is an appearance and strength focused being and Sasuke doesn't like your personality. Sakura was shocked and burst out into tears.
'So I have a horrible personality. Even I hate me!' Sakura cried.
I don't hate you. I'm just saying that Itachi is a jerk if he likes you so easily before truly knowing you. Sasuke got to know you and didn't like how you loved him for his looks. IS explained.
'I never thought that was such a horrible thing. I care about him beyond his looks. Why doesn't he like me?'
Maybe you're just not the one for him. IS said thinking logically.
'Whatever. I don't care I'm going to be spending a good few years with Itachi by his side if possible.'
You make it sound like a good thing. IS said worried.
'I don't know the younger Itachi. Sasuke said when he became an ANBU he changed so maybe if I could keep Itachi good, that would be good enough?' Sakura asked.
Maybe, but Sasuke could still have a grudge. IS said.
'Who knows, maybe I'll fall in love with Itachi.' Sakura said pathetically.
Yeah, don't do that. You will have to come back eventually you know, right? That wouldn't make the best consequences when you meet Sasuke again. IS warned her.
'True, but then again, I'll be living in the same zone as a Sasuke so maybe I can not by saving my chakra.' Sakura said.
You're not the same Sakura. Talk to Naruto. IS warned.
'Good idea, he should know what's going on.' Sakura said. She grabbed the scroll, stuffed it in her pocket, and transported herself into Naruto's office.
"Morning Sakura, how are you?" He asked.
"I'm leaving soon Naruto."
"When?" He asked.
"Two weeks before Sasuke's birthday."
"Why?"
"I was given a family jutsu and I'm traveling to the past. 13 years to be exact."
"Eh, why would you do that?"
"I'm saving Sasuke's Clan, and killing Itachi before he can hurt Sasuke." Sakura said strongly.
"Alright but won't that mess many things up?" He asked.
"No, the changes won't effect what will happen until that point. The things that will change will change on Sasuke's birthday, when I return."
"You can change all that in 2 weeks?" Naruto asked amazed.
"No, I can spend as much time as I want there and it only appears to be 2 weeks to everyone else. Amazingly so." She explained.
"How long are you spending there?" He asked.
"As long as it takes. Hopefully not long." She answered.
"What's the entire plan?" He asked.
"I'm going to have the appearance of a 7 year old. Impress a prodigy Uchiha into being my friend and teammate with all of my 16 year old ANBU Jounin techniques also passing my test to be a Genin in the procees."
"What's your appearance going to be because the real you will be there too?"
"I know. I'm going to be me except a little different wardrobe, nothing anyone's ever seen and I'll have light blue hair."
"Interesting." Naruto said. I nodded and smiled.
"It's definitely interesting."
"You seem happy about this." He said worried.
"Happy, yes."
"What ever for?" He asked.
"I have a purpose Naruto. A purpose is the most glorious thing to have. I almost lost mine. Now I have one." She hugged herself and collapsed into a chair.
"I'm glad you have one. I wasn't aware you lost it."
"When I gave up on helping Sasuke reach his goals I lost it but now I am."
"Aren't you just taking his purpose away from him, to give yourself one. Isn't that selfish?" Sakura frowned.
"I assured myself that he won't know what's going on. He'll find a new purpose for himself and I'll have accomplished mine."
"What will you do when you return then?" Naruto asked.
She stared at him. "I don't worry that far into the future. 3 weeks is going to seem like forever for me." She said sighing.
"I can see why." He said. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked.
"Of course, I'll have a glorious purpose again. Sasuke will have everything that made him so evil taken away and he'll be good. He'll have family and a great future."
"What about you?" Naruto asked.
"Don't worry about me, when I need a purpose, I'll find one." She assured him.
"Alright Sakura, but promise me that you won't alter the past too much."
"I'm going to stick down to the things I'm there for, I promise."
"Alright." Naruto however much he disliked how things use to be for him. He wanted things left like that. "Stay away from me in the past, alright?" She nodded.
"I'm trying to avoid Sasuke too. That'll be just too painful."
"Yeah, I understand. Good luck Sakura." Naruto said.
"Thanks Naruto, see you soon."
"2 weeks?" He asked.
"Yeah, after this week, I'll leave. I'll be back 2 weeks as of Saturday." She said happily skipping off. She proceeded to her now friend, Ino's house.
She knocked on her door and told Ino the complete story. Ino was in shock. "You can't be serious?" Ino said.
"I am." Sakura answered.
"You're going to be the savior of the Uchiha Clan. You think Sasuke will love you for that."
"I know he won't." She said.
"Why not?"
"Because I can't get close to Itachi if Sasuke knows me. I have a whole different identity which is why you're going to help me disguise myself." She answered.
"Why are you going to look like?" Ino asked interested.
"Light Blue hair with blonde streaks."
"You're so not going to fit in." Ino said shaking her head.
"That's the point." Sakura said nodding.
"What?"
"I'm supposed to be a foreigner from no village. I'm supposed to look like no one anyone's ever seen before." Ino nodded understanding the concept.
"Like Itachi will trust a foreigner though." Ino said in doubt.
"I'm going to have the ability, strength and talent I do now and you're going to give me a look of beauty beyond no one's imagination back then, as well as I'm going to beat the Uchiha prodigy making him, and his probably girl liking self interested in me to no end." Sakura said confidently.
"That's genius Sakura, pure genius. A bit evil for my taste but I guess when you're playing an evil girl, you have to act evil."
"I have reason to believe that the young Itachi was one that was easily impressed by girls but was only interested in strength in his younger years but still impressionable to stay good."
"You don't mean that you're going to keep him alive because regardless of how he changes when you come back I don't think Sasuke will forgive him, Sakura." Ino said.
"I know that, I am planning on killing him. So that Sasuke won't leave to become stronger because he'll have no reason to." Sakura answered.
"I think you should talk to Sasuke before you leave."
"He'll be here on his birthday. I know it. Until then, I'm making my own mind up on these things." Ino was worried. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." Ino nodded.
"Don't get yourself killed Sakura. Who knows what all that will affect?" Ino said.
"I promise I won't die." Sakura said.
"Good, say good-bye to Hinata before you leave. Naruto's taking her out on a date tonight and I'm going over to help her tonight."
"I will too promise." Ino nodded. Sakura ran off to the Hyuuga Complex and crashed into two people.
"Hey Sakura, how are you?" Tenten asked.
"I'm great. Shouldn't Neji be here?" Tenten laughed.
"He is, you're sitting on it." Sakura jumped off of him. He just glared.
"Sorry Neji. If you weren't so quiet, I'd know you were there." Sakura said.
"Hn." He said.
"Well I'll see you guys in three weeks."
"Where are you going?" Tenten asked.
"Don't worry about it. Far away."
"Oh. Well then see you. Wait a sec, isn't Sasuke's birthday that day?"
"Yeah, I'm leaving to get him the best present ever. I can't tell you what it is. I've only told two people about it. The last one is Hinata." They nodded and walked off.
"Bye." Tenten said.
"Yeah, sorry for crashing into you."
"It's fine, right Neji."
"Sure." He said. Sakura sighed. 'Neji was like Sasuke. How did Tenten get his attention? They are just teammates too. How ever did she do that?'
"If not for Sasuke's goals… He'd love you too… Sakura. Sasuke can't love… because… because it would endanger… you." Hinata said.
"How would you know?" Sakura asked turning to him.
"Believe it or… not… he talks to me… because I… understand… He tells me this." She said.
"He'd love me if not for his goals that endanger me?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah." Sakura hugged the girl and ran off.
"I'll help with your date tonight. See you then." Sakura didn't need anymore on the topic. That made her sure this is what she had to do. She had to change his purpose and goals. Then he'd love her.
She ran home and collapsed on her bed. She was so happy. He'll love you! That's great.
'I know. I'm so happy. I need to hurry up and accomplish it while I'm there.'
I know. I'll give you tips while we're there to speed it up. I was thinking about staying out of this. With this new news, I'll be sure to help.
'Thanks.'
Love waits for us soon. IS said happily.
'I know, so close, yet so far.'
Too Bad that it's going to be years in reality that we'll be waiting. IS said sadly.
'It'll be more then worth it to receive the love of Sasuke.' She said.
I agree. IS said happily.
'What now?' Sakura asked.
Naruto and Hinata's date. IS reminded her.
'Oh yeah, this is going to be great too.' Sakura screamed happily.
Make sure she doesn't where her jacket or pants. Bring her a dress. A pretty dress.
'Got it. I'm sure Ino is taking care of that though.' Sakura said.
She would look amazing in lilac; it matches her eyes after all. Colors that match your eyes always look good.
'Obviously.'
Fine, I'm not helping you any more.
'I know everything you know, so we'll be fine.'
I know, but I like to be included.
'Whatever, bye.' Sakura then ignored IS and proceeded to go to Hinata's place bring a lilac dress with her.
Sakura and Ino did Hinata's hair, dressed her ready. Ino gave her advice about how to handle the waiters and what to order. Sakura, well she gave her advise on how to get through time with Naruto and what to avoid and what to expect.
Hinata was gracious for their help. "What if… he asks me on another date?" Hinata asked.
"Then you go on another date." Ino said.
"Sakura will be gone won't she, Neji said she was."
"I am but Ino here will be able to handle with the preparation, right?" Sakura asked Ino.
"Of course Hinata, we'll make sure you're always ready for your date. Sakura will be with you in spirit."
