Hi, Adie here! I had posted this story a little earlier but I have made substantial changes. If you are interested in this story (which I really hope you are or will be!) and you have started reading this prior to February 25, 2006, I suggest you reread the first few chapters, because, as I have said earlier, there have been substantial plot changes made to the storyline. This is my first fanfic, so be nice please! Hope you enjoy it!

Summary:

Sakura is one of the most sought after women in Konohagakure and she has many suitors. However, she still has a place in her heart for Sasuke and awaits his return. What happens when he returns many years later? Will he see the woman Sakura has become? Or is he still power hungry and uncaring? And what will become of the most persistent of Sakura's suitors? Sasusaku

Disclaimer:

I do not own Naruto, it is solely the creation of Kishimoto Masashi. I wouldn't be writing a fanfic if I owned it right?

Now that I got the boring stuff out of the way…

CHAPTER 1 – MEMORIES

Haruno Sakura woke up to a shaft of sunlight through her bedroom window. Grumbling, she made her way to the washroom to freshen up. She then set about making her breakfast. Unfortunately, she ended up burning her toast because she was preoccupied with the scrambled eggs she was trying to prepare. She hurried to the toaster to remove the burnt bread. Shortly thereafter, she smelt something burning –she had ruined the eggs too. Sighing, Sakura changed into her ninja attire and headed off to Ichiraku Ramen –she definitely was not a morning person.

Entering Ichiraku Ramen, Sakura wondered why on earth she had come here to eat breakfast. She spent a few short seconds ordering (after all, the only thing they served was ramen, so there was not really any choice to be made except for the flavour), she waited for her meal to arrive.

Sakura's life had changed drastically since her genin days. She was now nineteen years old, and an ANBU at that. She had cut her hair short during the Chunnin exams years and years ago out of necessity; now, she kept it short out of practicality. Her pastel pink locks were slightly past shoulder length and framed her face to perfection. Her cherry red lips, high cheekbones, and ivory skin clearly showed why she was so sought after (yes, she has grown into her large forehead over the years). She had discarded the red dress of her genin days for a black, sleeveless, zip-up shirt and a black skirt that ended a few inches above her knee. She also wore knee high, black boots that were stylish, yet utterly practical. Of course, Sakura had not only changed physically, but mentally as well. She was no longer the Sakura who questioned herself and who thought that she was weak and dependent upon others. Many years of training had turned her into a powerful ninja. As an ANBU, she was both skillful tactitian, and powerful fighter. In addition to this, she was an extremely adept medic-nin. She had seen many of her friends die on the battlefield and she had had to kill the enemy without a second thought. Mental toughness was clearly one of her many assets. With all these qualities, it was no wonder that Sakura had many suitors.

Speaking of suitors, Sakura looked up to see one of her most persistent suitors enter Ichiraku Ramen. His tall, well-built figure seemed to make the ramen eatery seem so much smaller and his dark blue eyes twinkled when he saw Sakura. Moving with grace, he approached Sakura's seat.

"Sakura-san, what a pleasant surprise," he greeted. Sakura rose to meet him.

"Takeshi! How are you?" Sakura responded with a smile to the handsome man. He wordlessly took one of Sakura's hands into his own and kissed it. A slight blush crept onto Sakura's cheeks. "Fine, thank you." he said, and winked. Sakura's blush intensified.

Takeshi was an ANBU on Sakura's team and they had worked together for years. He had saved her life numerous times and she, in turn, had saved his as well. Over the years, they had developed a close friendship and Takeshi had wanted to turn this relationship into something more. He had asked for her hand in marriage once before and she had declined saying that she was not ready for it. He had said he understood, and they still maintained a close relationship.

"Takeshi, you are back from your mission already?" Sakura questioned.

"Yes, a talented one such as I finishes his missions very quickly." Takeshi joked. They both laughed.

"You do remember that I was the one who saved your sorry ass on the mission in Suna two months ago, right?" Sakura teased.

"Ah.." he said, "hmph, you win."

Sakura laughed.

Takeshi then rose. "Going so soon?" questioned Sakura. "Ah, yes, I need to report on my mission to the Hokage. I'll see you soon." with that, he kissed Sakura on the forehead and left.

Sakura smiled to herself. She was glad she had someone like Takeshi at her side. Yet, despite this, she could not marry him. No, she had someone else to whom she had bequeathed her love a long time ago…

Later that day

Takeshi had proposed to her again tonight, and Sakura had told him she was not ready –yet again. She hated seeing the way his face fell upon hearing her answer. Soon after, she had left him and headed for the bridge where Team 7 had met on numerous occasions in their genin days.

The bridge brought back painful memories…

The moon shone brightly overhead, making the lake shimmer and glisten as if it were alive. Sakura sighed as she peered over the side of the bridge into the water's depths. Alive…that was one thing she would never truly be…not since…

FLASHBACK

"I'll never be like you or Naruto."

Sakura stared down at her hands, biting her lip to keep from crying. "Do you really want to go back to being alone? You told me how painful it was to be alone! Right now, I know your pain…!" Sakura exclaimed, hoping against hope that she could somehow keep Sasuke from leaving. He continued to walk away from her. "I… love you with all my heart!" she burst out.

Sasuke turned around to look at her, smirking. "You really are… annoying."

"Don't leave! If you do I'll scream!" Sakura yelled desperately.

Sakura suddenly blinked, Sasuke was no longer there in front of her…she suddenly felt his presence behind her. "Sakura…" Sasuke whispered behind her, "Thank you."

She blinked back tears…suddenly her eyes widened in shock. The last thing she remembered was Sasuke touching a hand to her spine. Then darkness…

When she woke up, he was gone.

END FLASHBACK

Sasuke had left Konoha that night in search of Orochimaru and power. Sakura had often professed her love to Sasuke, always hoping to gain Sasuke's favour and affections. It was all for nothing it seemed. She sighed, willing herself to move on after all these years.

She stood there for long moments, thinking about Sasuke, about Takeshi, and about her future. Should she move on? she questioned herself. Sakura then noticed that it was getting late and she hated walking in the dark because she felt so vulnerable and unprotected when she could not see things properly. "When will you come back to me?" she whispered to the wind; her words were carried away into the mist that had settled.

A/N: Reviews plz!