Quintessence

Summary: (n.) the purest form or essence of something

Disclaimer: Don't own it… how could I on volunteer work and 20 bucks a month for allowance? I do own a book though… (swoons at smexy Ka-san)

A/N: my first oneshot/drabble collection… starting with a nice little SasuSaku

Please enjoy!

The wind rippled through the trees, taking with it the frigid breath of Jack Frost. She rubbed her hands together, pulling her red sweater tighter around her. I watched as the breeze tossed her hair, reminding me vaguely of the blossoms from which she was named.

Jade orbs turned away from the forest, back to me. Her bright eyes met my dark, unseeing. She never did. Smiling a little, she sat next to me, laying her hand next to mine and her head against the black marble behind her.

"It's been a while, Sasuke-kun."

"You came to see me yesterday, Sakura." She ignored me, instead opting to pull her knees to her chin. Sighing, she closed her brilliant eyes, lips still turned upward in a grin.

"We've both changed a lot, haven't we?

"Indeed, we have," I nodded, reminiscing. I shook my head soon after, shaking off the memories. I had never before realized how much I missed my fan girl mob.

"I hope you have been doing well."

"As well as can be expected."

"I've been well, too. We've been well. All of us."

"So, the dobe finally got over it, huh?"

"We all want you to come back…"

"I guess not, then."

"… but I think we both know that will never happen."

"…"

"Sometimes you're too damn stubborn." She giggled quietly to herself, looking me fully in the eyes. She was still making me feel like she could see right through me.

I found myself reaching to cup her cheek, wanting her to drop her guise. My hand wavered, mere inches from her skin, before letting it drop again. Fortunately, she did not notice my gesture.

"Tsunade-sensei informed me this morning that I would soon be working directly under her – Shizune-san is being called away on a mission to Waterfall Country that will last a few years."

"Good. You've earned it."

She shrugged. "I guess it's alright… I secretly think she chose me because I'm just about the only person who can wake her up and who gambles worse than she does." Sakura chuckled again, remembering Team 7's last poker game. "We should do that again, sometime."

I sighed. "I've been a bit preoccupied, but that would be nice."

The sun emerged from behind the drifting clouds, rays of light filtering through the tree branches. Nothing that caught my immediate attention. I returned my gaze to my companion, who stretched like a cat before lying spread-eagle on the grass, eating up the warmth.

She was beautiful, then. I don't deny it. There are other times when she is beautiful: smiling with her friends, locked in a mind-numbing battle, crying for an injured teammate. But then, completely at peace on the forest floor, she was the definition of serenity. She was simply extravagant.

After what seemed like short minutes, but were, in reality, long hours, she stood, dusting grass off her back.

"Well, Sasuke-kun," she turned to me, eyes shining brightly, "it's that time again."

"So it is." Her fingers nimbly danced over an engraving on the stone, tracing every inch, burning the name into her heart. A silent tear trailed down her cheek. Every time, it was only then when she cried.

"Until tomorrow, then." The tear dropped to the ground. "I love you."

The wind rippled through the trees, taking with it the frigid breath of Jack Frost. I watched once more as she pulled her sweater tighter, never minding the breeze combing through her hair. I whispered my response to the gentle wind. I know she heard me, a faint whistle of the gust that blew past her ear. She smiled a faint smile, a real smile, knowing I would be waiting for her return.

Haruno Sakura departed from the memorial, thankful to know I returned her heart, even in death.

A/N: A bit angsty… not quite my style. I wrote this damned thing at one in the morning… (grumbles) oh well. Please give me some feedback!

--DML