Depression
Depression has its own way with the people under it.
It had a funny way of blanketing itself over Sakura when Sasuke first left. It came, thin and discreet, only to make itself noticeably thicker when he disappeared from the village, out on the road for his training, on the road to becoming the greatest of all the Hokages.
Sakura would find herself going to odd places where he enjoyed his days, his favorite training area, the Ichiraku ramen stand, a seat on the top of Yondaime's head.
Slowly, but surely she became quiet, reserved, but those around her started to take notice.
After the first year, Sakura had devoted herself to her work under Tsunade, progressing through her training faster than anyone had ever imagined, faster than even Sakura herself could realize.
Within two years, she was of chuunin status, and already one of Konoha's top three medics.
It was an achievement to be proud of, but at a cost, as noticed by those around her.
Sakura was depressed. It was the depression that made her quiet, blank and nostalgic about certain times.
It was only when Naruto came back, only when he could be there to drag her around places, be there to shout in her ear, annoy her to death.
Only then, did Sakura laugh and smile again, like someone had done a kawarimi on her mood. With Naruto at her side, they were a source of amusement for the village, bickering, poor Naruto being pummeled to the ground for any perverted comment.
Naruto was there, and suddenly there was no such depression. He held piece of her heart a loud, bold, happy personality in contrast to the thick, gray blanket of depression clouding the rest of it/
