A/N: Hi! This is my very first Naruto fanfiction, and I'm kinda new at this, BUT I'm hoping you guys don't think it's too bad! Let me know with reviews please(:

Disclaimer: I can only wish I owned Naruto...

Like Snow

"Naruto…I-I love you!"

It had been snowing when she first confessed. The situation Sakura was faced with had caused her to truly open her eyes and finally see that what she had been longing for had been right in front of her this whole time. She had her head down.

She continued, "You're the only one who stood by my side, you've never betrayed me and…and you even risked your life for me many times!"

Her jade eyes had not once made contact with the owner of the surprised cerulean eyes, who was standing in front of her.

"I…I don't know what took so long for me to realize this…and just thinking about it…makes me feel horrible for the way I've treated you…" she trailed off as sadness and guilt started peeking their ugly faces into her emotional confession.

"Sasuke," the blonde noticed how she had dropped the symbolic honorific which she had used for many many painful years, "has done nothing but hurt me, and yet…you've always comforted me, and I realized that's what I've been chasing for this whole time…someone who can return my feelings…so that's why, Naruto. That's why I'm offering my feelings to you…in hopes that you can return them too." She shyly looked up to smile a soft smile at him, with an ever so faint hue of pink creeping across her cheeks. It was the first time she had ever felt such genuine love for her blonde-haired teammate.

Of course, they were not alone during this little confrontation. Oh, no no. In fact, they even had an audience; one consisting of Kakashi, Yamato, Kiba, and Akamaru even. It was around the same time after the village had been attacked by Pain and Tsunade had slipped into her comatose state. Something arose inside Sakura, a new thought had dawned upon her during this disastrous time. She took time to think clearly about her feelings and to whom they were directed at, and boy was she surprised at her own conclusion. And so, she stood there, in front of her only true remaining teammate, with the worst case of butterflies in her stomach as she waited for his reaction. Slowly but surely, the words of the kunoichi reached Naruto's ears, went through to his brain, and were, for some reason, painfully analyzed. The only things that went through his mind the whole time of her confession were flashbacks of the many times Sakura expressed her love for Sasuke, how Naruto had made the promise of a lifetime just to bring Sakura's love back, how she had been so broken over Sasuke. He couldn't believe it at all! What he said next was a shocker to everyone.

"Sakura-chan, this is no time for jokes! This isn't funny at all, so stop it."

All Sakura could do was stare at him for an awkward few minutes.

She protested, "But Naruto, don't you get what I'm saying? I don't love Sasuke anymore…I want you Naruto. You don't have to risk your life anymore and you don't have to fulfill your promise…and you also don't have to be alone anymore…" tears had started collecting at the corners of her eyes, and she knew she had hit a soft spot. Kakashi, who was watching the whole tense situation, couldn't help but feel proud of Sakura for choosing her path, yet he felt somehow sad for her and pitied her. Before anyone could interrupt what was about to be a very distasteful ending to this scene, Naruto's hoarse voice spoke up, "I…I hate people who lie to themselves!" his voice booming by the time he finished his sentence, his head lowered and his gaze on the ground. He could never believe that his childhood crush has finally chosen now to return his feelings. Why should he? She was always so devoted to Sasuke, why would he believe her now, that she had changed her heart for him? Maybe Sakura didn't know what she was saying. Maybe she was under too much stress. Maybe she just needed time to clear her thoughts up before realizing that Sasuke was the one she truly loved…not him. Or maybe Naruto was in denial.

And that was it. The dangerously impatient tears that she had been holding back now slowly poured down her cheeks, as she stood there, wide-eyed from the shock of being called a liar…by none other than the person she cared for the most.

Three years had crawled by since Pain had attacked Konoha. The members of Team 7 had drastically changed since; they were now 18. Now, we're talking about DRAMATIC changes, as in Sasuke realizing his mistakes and being dragged home, Naruto surpassing his own teacher, and Sakura…well she was definitely no longer the silly little girl that trailed after her precious 'Sasuke-kun', although that point was clear enough when she made her confession to Naruto. No siree. She was becoming an independent young woman, who had begun thinking more realistic, rather than stupidly daydreaming all day, and one who had become rather considerate. And out of all three members, she was the one to change almost to the point of no recognition, personality-wise.

She still looked the same however. She had grown more womanly, accumulating all the right curves in all the right places. Her once luscious, crazy colored pink hair had toned down to a light baby pink and grew to just a few inches past her waist. Her face had grown more pointedly instead of the chubby baby fat that used to control her features. She had dangerously light green eyes that lost their polished shine, and extremely long, dark black lashes. Her once pale and thin lips grew into their full potential; full and juicy, the same color as her hair. Overall, she hadn't become pretty, but gorgeous, only a rival to that of her best friend Ino. The only sad part about her major changes was that her eyes lacked their usual luster, instead covered by a hollow, glassy exterior. Her eyes truly were the windows to her soul, depicting a fallen and fragile doll on the inside. She refused to let anyone near her heart again, and so never really became close with anyone in the village, save for Ino and Tsunade.

But there was something about Sakura's personality that didn't correspond with her beautiful features. She was quiet. More quiet than she used to be. Hell, her quietness can rival with that of Sasuke's now, and that's saying a lot. But when she did talk, she spoke with a quiet but dignified voice; one that was stern but had hints of sadness and, dare I say it, love. She still had love for her village and everyone in it. This part of Sakura was the only part of her old self that she was desperately clinging onto; it was the charming part of her that made her approachable and also respectable.

Despite her soft and lost appearance, Sakura's skills were to the point where she can finally, finally catch up with her two teammates. She wasted absolutely no time these past three years. Training, mastering medic jutsus, more training with Tsunade. She had no time for a social life, but somehow, she liked it like this. It just meant that less people would ask her why she's been so lifeless lately. She figured if she doesn't make too many appearances, people would eventually forget about her. So she kept herself preoccupied with becoming the best she can be. And she definitely accomplished that too; she was now a proud member of the ANBU. But that wasn't all, she had become the top medic-nin of the whole village, second to Tsunade. But no matter how hard she had tried, her teammates, would always remain a step ahead, but she supposed that was better than the time it had been five steps ahead.

Naruto had become the chief of the whole ANBU department. Well, one may ask how in the world this nutcase got there. Over the years, he hadn't been wasting time either. He had grown into quite the handsome devil, you can even say he's a mirror image of the Fourth Hokage himself. His now smaller eyes still held the never-ending charm that they always held. His hair was longer now and his body had become well-toned yet lean. He had grown mentally as well, meaning that he had finally matured from his previous childish manner. However, the inner child in him does tend to pop up at times. Okay, MANY times. But he can actually be all serious when it gets down to business. Despite his past history with the villagers, he was now looked upon as a hero for saving them from Pain. And he had also caught the attention of many, many girls, something that he is a bit too slow to realize, but maybe it's for the better. However, Naruto isn't all about just looks, underneath that cool demeanor of his, is a powerful new Naruto that had trained his ass off getting to where he is now. He is slowly making his way to his dream; becoming the Hokage.

Sasuke…well what CAN change about him? He is still the cold bastard that he was before he left Konoha. His lifeless onyx eyes kept their cold demeanor and his body was also toned and perfect muscles were visible in all the right places. He'd been back for 5 months now. Tsunade had given him 2 years of probation and put him under house arrest. It's funny because…his rank was still a Genin while his two teammates had by far surpassed Jounins. Tsunade, however, refused a higher title to him until all charges against him had been overlooked and he proved himself trustworthy again. Not that he cared about being trusted by the village again. He was not at peace even after killing his brother. Instead, he may even be more lost now, but at least he has come back to the one place he can truly ever call home. He has Naruto to thank for that, although he never will thank him in person. Naruto had found his almost-dead and mangled body after his fight with Itachi, while he was on his way home from a long-journey mission. Thankfully, Naruto had beaten Madara to it and brought Sasuke back. Was Sakura surprised? Yes, because truthfully, she had never thought that such a cold-blooded thing like Sasuke would ever return. Was she happy? No, because she only thought of him as a teammate now and it didn't really make a difference if he was back or not because it's not like they talk much anyway.

And those were the painful imperfections of Team 7. The changes, the pain, and the scarce happiness that they all went through together.

It was 5:36AM and Sakura found herself sitting on her window sill, staring out into the early dusk, as she had done many nights before. She couldn't do anything but think. Think of all the reasons her life was not perfect. Think of all the people that were missing in her life. Think about Naruto. She still got butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought of the ever outgoing ninja. After she had confessed her love to him those years ago, and after said love had been called a lie, she had went and talked to him alone. She told him that she was just confused about her feelings and that she didn't exactly know what she was saying earlier. Naruto quickly understood and held nothing against her. Sakura had asked, timidly, if their friendship was still intact, and the blonde replied with his trademark grin saying, "Of course Sakura-chan! No way will it ever be ruined." At this, the kunoichi had to smile back. But Sakura had lied to Naruto that day. She knew exactly what she was saying. But she didn't want Naruto to know that she still loved him to this very day; she didn't know if she can handle any more stabs to her heart. Sakura had told herself that she would sacrifice her love for him, if it means that he can be happy.

With a deep sigh, she reluctantly got up from her position and made her way to the bathroom; afterall, she would have to do her 12 hour shift at the hospital soon. She decided to take a very long shower, since her shift didn't start until 7. After a good 20 minute shower, she stepped outside of the bathroom and quickly dressed herself in her usual hospital attire; a tight white coat that came to her waist and a white mini skirt. How cliché, she thought to herself, amused at her outfit. She slipped on her black boots, tied her hair into a long ponytail and walked out of her house. I should've eaten breakfast, she mentally scolded herself when she noticed her stomach grumble, WHO knows when the next time I'll lay eyes on food will be. She passed through her usual route to the hospital and said a few polite hello's here and there. She wanted to get to the hospital quickly, so as to avoid too many collisions with the village people, or worse…people she KNEW. Ugh, they'll be on my case for hours and hours! She sighed.

She was just about to enter the hospital doors when she heard an all too familiar voice call out from behind her, "Sakura?"

Sakura immediately inwardly winced, this was not good. If he was here…then surely HE was here too…

Please review so I can know what to improve on! Thanks :D and hope you enjoyed it SO far.