She saw a mother duck, with three little baby duckies following her. They quaked, and it sounded so cute, that she felt how her entire body warmed up. Spring had come, but it was still cold, everywhere you came.

She started to walk away from the pool, back to the forest, where she could be alone. It wasn't exactly like her to like it being alone, but these days, things were different. An hour or so later, she reached a large tree. She loved that tree. He felt safe, solid, and absolute, like everything her life should be. But her life wasn't like it should be anymore. She climbed the tree, to the top, and sat down. She sighed.

It didn't take her a long time to notice the blue eyes that watched her. A little smile reached her lips.

"I know you're there, Naruto."

"Damn, how did you know?"

The young ninja, probably the only one who had ever managed it to let a sensei almost get a nervous breakdown, sat down on a bough down the girl's.

"I know you."

"Yeah, I get it. Say, Sakura, what are you doing here? It's not like you to look for loneliness. Did something happen to you?"

Sakura suddenly felt a tear running down her cheek. Yes, there was something wrong. But could she tell him?

"He'll leave us."

He understood what she meant immediately.

"Sakura, you know he didn't really like this place. It had to happen sooner or later."

"You mean, you knew this? You knew he would leave the village?"

"Well, he didn't tell me or something, it's just that I expected him to do it. So I'm not surprised."

"I don't want him to go."

He nodded understandingly.

"Maybe he'll come back someday. Who knows?"

She didn't respond. She was just to busy fighting back her tears.

"But I… I love him. I really do. I don't know what to do when he's gone."

"Then tell him."

"What!"

"Tell him what you feel."

"… no…"

"Why not?"

"He wouldn't care, would he?"

"He's a weirdo, not a jerk."

"Bye, Naruto."

"Hey, wait, where are you going!"

But she didn't answer and ran away.

That evening, she stood on a small bridge across the pool she had been earlier that day. The moonlight made the water look silver. Pure silence surrounded her.

"Sakura?"

"She looked up when she recognized the voice.

"Sasuke? What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, right?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk."

He walked towards her, and she looked to the pool again.

"Thank you." he whispered, and only a second later, he was gone.

She looked around her, confused.

"For what?" she cried. And then it was like his voice came to her, brought by the wind.

"For loving me. I'm glad that there is at least one person who cares about what I do. I'll come back to you."

She could almost feel him smile.

"I promise."

Sakura didn't see it, but high up in the trees, a pair of dark eyes watched her. Spring had finally come. For everyone.

A/N I hope everyone liked this oneshot. Reviews are most welcome.

Thanks for reading,

-Lenneko-chan