Author's Note:

So, I have no business to be doing another story. Two more, actually.. But what can I say.. The muse strikes!

Disclaimer – I don't own anything or anyone from Naruto.

*.*.*.*.*

"You don't honestly still love him.. do you? He will never love you.. He is a God amongst men, and you.. little girl, are but a cherry blossom in the wind.."

The voice haunted her deeply. It came with her every where she went, it followed as she ate and slept. No matter what she did - either on mission, or at home, at the hospital or on the training field - it followed her. It ate a hole through her heart and head and it made her question everything. Every single part of her soul.

Did she really love him?

Did she really matter to them?

Was she just fooling herself by thinking she could be important?

"Ne, Sasuke, stop mocking Naruto." Sakura growled. Both men stared at the Pinkett openly. She had defended the blonde and didn't add the 'kun' after Sasuke's name.

"They don't take you seriously. You're always watching their backs. Always watching as they play the hero and the soon to be martyr. You're nothing but a waste of space to them. When was the last time he acknowledged your loyalty, your strength, your love and conviction? When was the last time they believed in your power instead of treating you like a porcelain doll?"

That made something in her question everything..

Maybe she, herself, didn't know what love truly was. Was it infatuation? Was it being there when no one else was? Was it being there when that person didn't want you there?..

To never have their affections returned..

To continually make a fool of herself.. just to get someone to notice her?..

To know that in a million year.. they'd never even look her way..

Maybe she didn't love Sasuke..

No.. that couldn't be true...

Could it?

Then she thought about it more and more.. and she realized.. no.. she, maybe, honestly didn't love him.

Maybe it had been just infatuation.

Maybe she loved the idea of him and what he could represent.

He was a stick in the mud, that stick so far up his ass it was amazing how it didn't come out his mouth.

He was condescending and constantly berated both herself and Naruto. He constantly called her weak and useless..

And maybe she was..

But instead of trying to help her get better, he pushed at her and pushed..

And now..

Sakura stared into those onyx eyes and the thought of ever wanting him didn't make any sense.

She had wanted him out of spite - something to win against Ino. Something to wave in her face and show that although she was beautiful and robust in all the places most people noticed.. Sakura would be able to steal the one man everyone else clawed after..

And now?

Now she couldn't see it.

And her other two teammates...

Just the thoughts of the voice being right made her stomach lurch. It made her angry and sad.. and... it made sense. When was the last time her sensei took her training seriously? Even after she had proven herself time and time again? Even after he had seen first hand what she was capable of? When was the last time Naruto took her seriously during a sparing match – throwing it just so he wouldn't hurt her. She was still just the same ol' Sakura to them...

She would never been seen in the same light as they saw themselves.

As others saw them.

Shaking her head, Sakura frowned deeply, "Close your damn mouth before you catch flies, will you?" She ground out, her emerald eyes glaring hotly at Sasuke before he could find the voice to make a retort back.

"Yo." Kakashi said, a poof of smoke announcing his welcome.

All three pairs of eyes shifted to the silver haired nin.

Something was a miss, he could see it on their faces. Both his male teammates stared at his lone female teammate as though she'd grown a third head.

"Did I miss something?" He asked cautiously. If the boys were afraid to say something, he knew he too should tread lightly. He honestly didn't feel like being on the receiving end of that temper, let alone that Chakra enhanced fist.

His weak little pink haired student was no longer weak.

"No." Sakura said simply, "May we begin training, I have somethings I have to do today and I've wasted enough time waiting for you and listening to these two assholes bicker all morning."

This took the older man by surprise. He knew Sakura had 0 problems with calling Naruto names, but lumping Sasuke in there too? She was pissed about something, and he really was not sure whether or not if he should test her and prod.

"Sakura-chan, why are you being so mean?"

"Hn."

Looked like he didn't have to, apparently his male students didn't share his appreciation of caution.

Another shocking moment was when Sakura just ignored her teammates' question and continued to stare at him expectantly.

"Ah.. yes.. training." He murmured, "I trust you've all done your exercises. Let us begin with a bit of sparing. Naruto, you're with me. Sasuke and Sakura... you're paired together. "

He knew pairing Sakura with Sasuke was a better idea than himself or Naruto because as much as they knew how strong Sakura was, they just couldn't bring themselves to fight her full on. Sasuke, on the other hand, wasn't afraid to challenge her. He knew in some aspects he needed to not go so easy on Sakura, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Tsunade had sang her praises a million times, and he had seen it with his own eyes, her strength and ability...

But she was his only female student and...

He had already failed her once.

Sasuke gave a "tsk" before heading towards the training ground, which caused Sakura's eye to twitch. Of course, Kakashi saw this and prayed for his student's sake.. Sakura didn't break every bone in his body.

"I hope whatever you have planned today can wait. I'm sure shopping with Ino isn't that important."

There it was again. That arrogant, holier-than-thou comment. Sakura's eyes darkened. 'Are you going to sit there and let that damned Uchiha talk to you like that?' The anger that was bubbling beneath the surface started to become too much. Where was all this anger coming from? Where was this hardness and bitterness – this pure red rage... Where had it come from..

There was darkness blurring the edges of her sight.. She could barely see anything and after some time.. Something shifted. Her stance changed and her eyes were a darker hue of green than before. A smirk appeared on those pink lips of her's. "Fuck you, Uchiha." This caught all three men by surprise..

But nothing could ready them for Sakura's full on anger.

"Show them. Show them all what the Godaime saw in you. Teach them to respect your power. Your strength. You." The words continued to stoke the flames within her and something deep inside snapped.

Within moments, she was on Sasuke and he had to keep dodging those deadly fists.. he didn't have any time to make a decision, his eyes bled red unconsciously and what he saw...

What he saw scared him a bit (not that he'd ever admit it) and he wondered if Kakashi was seeing this too. There was something off about Sakura. Her aura.. Her chakra was not visibly her chakra. Instead of the soft green it usually was, it was dark and angry. Lusting for blood.

Being lost in his thoughts cost him dearly.. a punch the face, no doubt that was a broken nose..

Another one..

A broken cheek bone..

Another one to the side as he went to block his face, a broken rib.. or four..

It had gone on far enough and Kakashi had to interrupt their spar.

He held onto Sakura for a long moment, taking in the dark aura that enveloped her and her eyes were dilated greatly. Something was truly amiss. . When he was sure he could let her go, he did so. Looking between his two students, he had no words.

"Holy fuck! She broke your nose!"

Ah, leave it to Naruto to not disappoint.

"Sakura.. while I enjoy your enthusiasm - may I ask you to refrain from killing Sasuke?"

Inner Sakura stared at Kakashi for a long moment. "Fine." She finally said, no hint of actually meaning it could be found.

"Very well.. would you mind patching him up?" Kakashi could tell she didn't mean it when she agreed, but chose not to comment on the matter – not while (Inner) Sakura stared at him once more, this was starting to become unnerving. "No." She finally answered, "I'm too weak.. and my shopping trip with Ino is more important." She said with an iced voice.

All three men stared at the Pinkett. She had attacked Sasuke without the slightest hint of backing down and now was refusing to treat him. She never refused to treat anyone. Especially her teammates. Especially Sasuke.

"Sakura-chan, I don't know what's going on.." Kakashi began

"No, you don't, do you?" She hissed, cutting him off. Inner was gone - she had no idea where all this hidden anger and bitterness was coming from.. but she didn't care to stop it, not that inner would allow her to. "All you ever know is whatever happens to Sasuke and Naruto.. never have you once asked me shit. You don't know one damn thing about me. None of you do." She growled, "So it doesn't surprise me that you haven't a fucking clue as to what is happening in my life."

With that, she disappeared in a flurry of cherry blossoms.

Not all of this came from that small voice in her head...

Yes, she was upset and yes.. it made her question things..

Maybe she always felt these things and buried it into her training with shishou.. maybe she let it fuel her need to be stronger and better..

But maybe it also hid somewhere inside her, waiting until she could let it loose. 'You don't deserve the bullshit you've had to deal with..' came inner's voice.

*.*.*.*.*.*

"Sakura-chan.."

How had he found her? "Naruto.." she answered.

"Are you okay? We've been searching the village for you." His voice was serious as he sat down beside her. She had been hiding on top of the Hokage mountain, her legs dangling off the side.

"When you say we.."

"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke-teme, Ino-chan.. me.. teme even got his brother and cousin to help." Naruto answered.

Sakura remained silent, her eyes casting over the village. "You used to be alone.. as an orphan.. people would ignore you or chase you out.. didn't think much of you nor give you a second thought.. I would have thought that you of all people would understand.." she finally said, her voice empty of emotion.

"Sakura-chan?" Worry was starting to creep into his voice – the words from Ino echoing some where deep inside his mind.

"Nothing.. nothing, Naruto.. let Kakashi know I'm fine. I'm just going to head home. Have a good night, Naruto." Giving him a small smile and wave, Sakura disappeared once more.

Naruto couldn't help but play the words she had said. And that smile.. the one that didn't reach her eyes. He wondered how long and how many times that happened. How many times he had missed it. He was supposed to be her teammate, her friend.. her family.. and he had never noticed until now.

He knew that she had felt left behind. He went off to train with pervy-sensei and teme had Kakashi-sensei... Sakura had gone to Tsunade-Sama for help.. because no one else thought to take her on... or even tried to help her find someone to train her.

It was that moment that he understood both Sakura's and Ino's words. Sakura had been left behind to fend for herself, and no one really took her nor her training seriously. No one thought to help her or encourage her growth as a nin.

It was unforgivable how they let her down..

And this feeling in his stomach churned dangerously and made him sick.

He failed her.

They all did.

*.*.*.*.*

~Before ~

"What the hell happened to you?" Came Shisui's voice - loud and vibrant, as always.

If Sasuke could open his left eye, it would be twitching.

"Otōto?" Itachi's calm voice cut through the glare Sasuke was sending the eldest cousin.

"We need your help!" Cried Naruto, nearly running into and falling over Sasuke. This caught both the older Uchia's attentions.

"What's going on?" Shisui's voice was serious this time.

"Who did this to you?" Asked Itachi.

"Uh... Sakura.." murmured Sasuke, a dark blush creeping up his neck.

"Sakura?" Asked Shisui, "Isn't that your teammate? The chick with pink hair?"

Naruto nodded furiously, "Yeah, teme thought it was a good idea to make fun of her and she was already angry.. and she beat his ass!"

"Shut your mouth, dobe! How the hell was I supposed to know she was in a shitty mood?!" Sasuke hissed back.

"Well, she defended me and she didn't add 'kun' when she addressed you and she called us both assholes. Even I know she was pissed off, teme!" Naruto pointed out.

This caused both older men to stare at the youngest Uchiha - they knew he was dense at times.. but they never thought he'd be stupid enough to upset the Godaime's apprentice.

"What do you need us for?" Shisui finally asked.

"We need help finding her. She disappeared off the training grounds after she yelled at Kakashi-sensei." Naruto answered.

The two Uchiha traded looks.

"Maybe she just needs time to herself?" Itachi voiced.

"That may have very well been the case, but she left 4 hours ago. It never takes her this long to calm down." Sasuke shot back.

"Maybe you royally pissed her off." Shisui pointed out.

It was silent for a long moment. He couldn't honestly have pissed her off that bad, could he? Sakura never stayed mad at him. Hell, she never got mad at him to begin with. This was starting to bother him (not that he would admit that) - what the hell could have made her so angry?

"Did she say anything before she left?" Itachi asked.

"Well.." Naruto sighed, "She said something about Kakashi-sensei only caring about Teme and I. That no one really knew anything about her.. and then she left." He didn't know why, but he felt shame. He couldn't put a finger on what the shame and guilt was stemming from, but it was slowly churning his stomach.

"Well, I mean.. she wasn't wrong." Ino's icy voice came from behind the two teammates.

"Ino-chan?" Asked Naruto. Behind the blond stood Kakashi.

"Figured getting her best friend would be a good way to go. I take it no one has been able to find her." Kakashi stated from his spot.

A curt shake of Sasuke's head confirmed this.

"What did you mean, Yamanaka-chan?" Itachi asked, his onyx eyes watching the young female.

"The only thing I ever hear from Sakura is everything about the two of you." Ino glared at the two males on her best friend's team, " She never talks about how you guys ask her about her training. I know that for the most part, you all treat her like a porcelain doll. I know that she works her ass off as a medic at the hospital and a kunoichi with zero to no acknowledgment from her team. I know she has given every little bit of love her soul can give to you, baka" - Ino stared at Sasuke now, "And yet all you do is tell her how useless and pathetic she is.

"Even though she is possibly the strongest kunoichi of our time and the second best medic after the Godaime herself, you still treat her as though she is less than you. And you wonder why she's so angry." Giving the Uchiha a glare, she then looked at Kakashi and narrowed her eyes once more, "Don't even get me started on you." She all but hissed.

"How about we go find Sakura-chan and she and her teammates can have this conversation amongst themselves." Itachi cut in.

"Yes.. let us do that." Kakashi agreed, a fake smile painting his masked lips.

*.*.*.*.*

~Now~

Sakura slid her back against the wall of her tub, the hot shower raining down on her as she allowed herself to go numb. A headache was coming on, whatever happened earlier really messed with her head. She didn't even feel like speculating on what the hell happened earlier. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes and held a glowing hand to her head to relieve some of the pain.

'Are you just going to sit here and mope?'

'Can't we just leave things be for right now?' Sakura mentally sighed, she just didn't want to deal with this right now.

'Fine. But don't think for one second I will allow you to wallow in self pity.' Inner hummed.

Rolling her eyes, Sakura got from her position and turned off the shower. After she was dried and dressed, she headed into her kitchen and made some tea. "I would greatly appreciate it if you at least pretend my traps were a little complex." Sakura murmured as she poured tea into two cups.

"Troublesome." The pineapple haired man murmured as he took his normal seat at the island. "Ino told me there was some fallout in the island of misfit toys."

Sakura shot Shikamaru a look, "Naruto told me they got her involved." Shaking her head, it was clear she didn't want to talk about it.

"This have anything to do with your parents divorcing?" Shikamaru asked bluntly.

"No." shaking her head, Sakura sat beside Shikamaru and put her head on his shoulder, another thing she didn't want to talk about.

Her parents had sat her down a couple of months ago stating they were getting a divorce. That they hadn't been happy in years. She had been upset. Then angry. Then understanding. She didn't want them to be miserable for her sake. She loved them and wanted them to be happy.

Another thing her teammates had no idea about.

"I'm just tired.. of trying.." Sakura murmured.

Shikamaru sighed, he hated how that damn Uchiha acted towards the medic. He was so arrogant and... just irritating. Hell, he hated how the whole damn team treated her. Before Shikamaru could say another word, a knock on the door gave signal to another arrival. "Can you get that.. I really don't feel like dealing with her right now."

Letting himself up, he opened the door to a rather irritated looking Ino. "Thought I'd find you here..." her face softened, "Is forehead okay?"

Shikamaru looked over his shoulder for a brief moment then looked back at his teammate, "I think she needs some time to settle in."

Ino gave a nod, "I'm here when you need me!" She called over his shoulder before turning to him once more, "You two had a mission tomorrow but lady Tsunade is aware of the situation. I will be taking her place. Meet me at the gates at the usual time." Shikamaru gave a curt nod and watched as his teammate walked away.

"You can go home too, thank you for coming to check on me." Sakura said softly from beside him, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, you have a mission tomorrow. You'll need the rest." She nodded. After giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, the two said their goodbyes and Sakura went back into her apartment.

"When did the two of you become friends?" Came the voice Sakura was not in the mood to hear.

"Go home, Uchiha." Sakura murmured, rolling her eyes as she turned the locks on her door.

"What happened out there today?" The usually quiet Uchiha asked, ignoring Sakura's iced voice. "Something wasn't right. Kakashi saw it too. You weren't you."

"Uchiha. One last time." The air around them felt as though it cooled several degrees as the medic stood before the Uchiha. Her emerald eyes cold, she grabbed out onto one of his (once was broken and was now) bruised ribs. He refused to cry out in the pain that seared through him like white flames. "Leave." She growled.

Sasuke didn't know what to say or do.

So he left.

*.*.*.*.*

Author's Notes:

So, what do you guys think so far? Should I continue?

Shoot me a comment and let me know!

Love ya!