The day the trio returned to their home was rainy and foggy.
The blonde one was holding Hinata's hand; both were smiling and these smiles were true and happy ones. They were proof of the better world that ought to start now. Though it had to start without many people, the ones they had to burry, the ones they had to leave on the battlefield forever. With every step they took they got closer to Konoha. The main gates were the sign that they were home, along with the scent of ramen.
Behind the happy couple was Sakura, who looked little tired and sad at the same time. Every fibre in her body told her to stop walking and just lay down in the dirt. Every step she took caused pain. She fucking hurt. She didn't know what else she felt. She remembered the brown eyes of her mentor behind a glass of sake and the drunken smile. Sakura stopped and wrapped her hands around herself. The pain was clenching her heart and lungs, it felt like suffocating.
The green diamond shaped seal on her forehead waned and it reminded her of Tsunade and her own personal fights. To Sakura it was like the people in front of her were running, while behind her the people were dead. The trembling didn't stop even when she took in sharp breaths.
"You know, they were old and they had lived their lives well. I'm sure they didn't want you to cry over them, beautiful, " she looked at edo Minato, who was standing next to her. The way he was smiling at her made her shrink. The pain is killing her inside, devastating, disabling. He bent down and lifted her chin with his thumb and a sad smile graced his lips.
"You'll never forget it, darling. Just keep living, fighting for the ones you love," and with that he is slowly disappearing, like everyone who had been summoned by the edo tensei.
The pain increased. Now she was alone. In front of her Naruto and Hinata were welcomed like heroes, while for her it was hard to hear "Thank you" and "You saved us!" for the millionth time when it wasn't true. But even after her explosion of power she is useless, left behind, forgotten.
Like she never had existed. People were cheering and laughing, which made it even harder for her.
Pain tears apart, pain stabs.
Sakura felt the weight of the worldbearing down on her while she was sitting in the muck. Not far behind her someone was coming, and she knew very well who it was. No hero, no savior.
"Sakura," he stopped and stood near her, observing the crowd in the village. His face was white, like a blank page and she has to admit she liked it. She always liked it. Before she could do anything he grabbed her forearm – a little too harsh – and put her back on her feet.
"Stop being so annoying," she jumped at that but all of the sudden she didn't want to fight anymore. He was spacing out and it was hard to look at him with her glossy eyes.
"Will you stay now?" she asked, her voice weak; meek. It was the only thing she hoped for. When his onyx eyes focused on hers, she was sure that he won't cut his bonds again. She reached out for his fingers and he frowned. But it was now or never, and as she touched him it was a mute "welcome back" and "I'm here for you".
Though deep inside her was fear, and that shot through her veins every time he moved. She feared his hands would grab her one last time and just crush her. He let go off her and took a few steps back, but yet he stayed close.
"Hn," he looked fretful and tired, just like her. But was he feeling pain too?
"Where are you going to live?" it's a simple question but the lump in her throat feels big and unpleasant. The strange noises of people celebrating were all-around. The wind which had picked up slowly died down and left her hair in disorder.
"District," was his short answer, he still was the same as his twelve years old self. Plain, yet cool. Cocky bastard. The sound of the fast impact of sandals of the civilians made her melancholic. "I've never had a chance to be Hokage." It was hard to glance at him now. He was standing beside her, a torn and lonely boy. And she couldn't do anything, because she was exhausted and lonely. In a world after the war and after their victory she never thought she would feel so empty and abandoned. It was ridiculous.
"I'm sorry," she said silently and started walking; as did he. Their movements were quiet and cautious.
"I don't want your pity, Sakura," he spat without looking at her. Some kids who were pure and inexperienced about the real life ran into them and with heartwarming smiles they ran on.
"I know." The long suppressed words came out of her mouth as she stopped. Her eyes were focused on the crowd in front of them.
"I want you to move in with me." It was demand and it sounded so desperate that almost broke her heart. Almost.
She smiled weakly. "I'm tired" and with that she jumped and ran to her empty house. It was a sad end for them. In the end Naruto had everything and she and Sasuke – nothing. That's what hurt the most.
It's re-written and it's better because of my lovely beta - Hinata1313. Thank you very much. I hope you'll like this story.