A short story for the naruto_contest community on LJ for week #33 – Sakura. I didn't make it in time to enter for that week, but I thought I'd share anyway.

I do not own Naruto – Masashi Kishimoto does. I just enjoy playing in his world.

Reviews are always appreciated­­­­­­

_________________________________________________________________

Death and Sakura

He had crushed her fragile body. He had not really meant to break her on the first blow - she was supposed to be a bit more sturdy than the average shinobi. Well, he was going to kill her eventually anyway, but he meant to take his time and work out his frustrations on her first. Inflict a bit more pain. But, once the process started, he couldn't stop halfway. He was proud of his ability to thoroughly complete the tasks at hand. Incompetence annoyed him.

He stared down at her body. Even though it did not go according to plan, he was actually quite pleased with the results. He thought the blood smeared and pooled around her broken, bleeding body was an example of perfection. He had set a flawless scene.

This will be a crowning achievement – the ultimate revenge for his failure to subdue the Kyuubi in Konoha. He would take from the Kyuubi the person that he apparently loves. It was mentioned to him that love made people do foolish, reckless things, which is exactly what he was hoping would happen. Carelessness brought on by anger at finding him here over her lifeless body would give him the advantage he needed to finally capture the Kyuubi. Then, he would finally succeed in his plans to become the new God of this world.

What's this? Her heart has not stopped. He could hear it weakly, erratically beating. He felt her clinging desperately to life with the last ounces of her chakra. Only the obstinacy of her will and the strength of her mind had prevented her spirit from falling into the unknown abyss of death. However, her feeble attempt to live was destroying his moment of perfection. In one quick, fluid motion he stabbed her heart through her chest with his katana, flicked off the blood, and resheathed it. There. In fact, that was much better. The extra blood on her body and her wide eyes added a bit of a torture element to the scene. Much more horrifying.

It was too bad that the fragile kunoichi had to die. Her abilities were quite useful and unique. She had interested him.

At least her death was exquisite.

Truly an existence as beautiful and as ephemeral as her namesake.

Sakura.