A/N: This was more to get me into a SasuSaku writing feel. Hopefully longer stories are to come. Nevertheless, I hope what there is can be enjoyed.
The moment she first saw him she felt like her world had stopped. He had caught the attention of other girls in the same way, she's sure, but at that time it was a big deal. They were both so young back then, and such a thing as having a crush was the most important part of her life. Friends and love were everything for her. She had a family who took care of her and a good friend that watched after her when her parents weren't around. Although she had her own problems, she could never imagine what he would soon go through.
The moment he saw her for the first time nothing extraordinary happened. He had seen many people, what did one wide-headed girl matter to him? His worries included school and matching up to his older brother; he did not think much of girls. Maybe he could have developed feelings for someone, blushed whenever that person walked by, and dressed to impress. However, he got sidetracked from such luxuries when his life became drowned in vengeance.
She never had such a sidetrack in her life. Her main concern, aside from graduating and becoming a decent shinobi, was to be a good person for him. She wanted to help him and to be good enough to be by his side.
But when he left she gained a new perspective about her life. Above all else, she wanted to become stronger – not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually. She studied under a sage who was wise and taught her well. Now she sought not to be by his side, but to bring him back from his darkness. She had long ago felt something aside from admiration for him; they had developed a friendship, a true camaraderie between teammates. However, how strong could it be, when he had not hesitated to kill her? She could not dwell on the memory too long, for only a deep sadness came. Had he not been stopped there would be no hope to bring him back – though even now the hope was slim.
She couldn't believe it when he suddenly appeared before her again after so long. He landed suddenly, his back towards her. He was different now than last she saw him, though he had not physically grown. She took in his looks; his black hair was still a mess, his outfit still somewhat tattered from his life's adventure. Although he was strong, he looked somehow worn, perhaps from the hardships of the war.
It was confusing to listen to him now, ready to fight alongside her rather than against. She wanted so much to trust him; elated to be able to have him back. Nevertheless, there was something in the back of her mind that inched forward with every second. Could she really trust this man? She had spent so much of her life focused on him and wanting to be with him.
People change – to that there can be no question – and he had already changed for the worse, so now his time was due to change for the better, right? Doubt shrouded her thoughts; she knew not to hold onto such a hope. He was unmistakably helping them, but did he have a hidden reason? She couldn't dwell on the matter for too long, for the war called upon her strength. For now she would fight once again at his side, only able to wish that he was truly an ally.