Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the Naruto characters.
A/N: This is my first Naruto fic, so please take it easy on me! Flames are welcomed. Oh, and characters might be Out Of Character! (I'm new to the whole Naruto scene)
PROLOUGE
Sakura's POV
Today you're coming back. After two long years, I guess you have finally done it. Killed your older brother, I mean. And now you've come back to see me. Finally. I've been waiting for what feels like an eternity.
"There he is! It's Sasuke!" I hear from somewhere near the front of the small crowd that came to greet you. I jump from foot to foot, exited, impatient, stupid. And all just for you. It's always been just for you. Always.
The exited whispering gets louder, but I still can't see you over several heads. It's killing me to be patient, but after waiting for two years, I figure a few extra seconds won't kill me. Finally! You're here! You're here! I just caught a glimpse of you I just saw you! You came back! You finally came back!
And you're not alone.
There's a girl with you, a young woman rather. She must be around my age. She's taller than I am. She's prettier than I am . She has blond hair to die for and stunning honey-brown eyes. I've always wanted honey-brown eyes. But who is she? You're holding her waist protectively, and she's smiling. God, I hate her smile. I hate her. Who is she?
When I see it, it's like time freezes. A ring. An engagement ring. And you're wearing one too. Only one question pops into my mind.
"Why?"
Why have you forgotten me? Don't you love me? I thought you loved me! Have you forgotten everything we used to do together? Our nights spent gazing at the stars in a beautiful yet comfortable silence? The way you used to look at me? The way I used to look at you? Why are you doing this? Why are you killing me?
I'm still standing in silent shock when you walk by, her still smiling and waving at people she doesn't even know. You acting like everything's all right. Like there's no one you might have left behind. Finally, after almost five minutes of just standing there you notice me.
" You're still here Sakura? I thought you would have moved by now," just like that, with a dismissive glance, you and her are gone. You don't have to tell me what you meant. You thought I'd have moved on. Moved on…But that could only mean…
No.
The realization is enough to make me cry. But I am strong. Somehow I make myself turn around, and then force myself to walk home. The pain in my chest is unbearable. Not only have you broken my heart but… but…
You've broken my soul. My spirit. You've broken me.
Somehow I force myself to turn around and walk home. Nobody notices that I have left.
I can't believeit took me this long torealize that you had never really loved me.
Chapter 1: Gone with the wind
Sakura sat on the floor of her apartment, pleased with her work. Everything she needed was already packed, and in a matter of minutes she would be leaving. She sighed; wondering how so much had gone wrong I her life. Sano had taken everything from her. Her friends… her favorite places…. and even her Sasuke.
Hatred spiraled through Sakura uncontrollably. Something wasn't right with that Sano-girl. There was something about her eyes that she just couldn't bring herself to trust. Something… evil about them. Nobody would listen to her though. They all thought she was just jealous, even Sasuke.
FlashbackSakura was walking alone outside when she spotted Sasuke alone under a cherry blossom tree. She stopped in her tracks and stood, staring at him, while unconsciously walking towards him.
" Is it true?" she whispered, begging not to be corrected. " Are you really going to marry her?"
Sasuke had looked at her with cold, onyx eyes. Sakura had never seen him look at her in such an unfeeling way before. " Yes."
Sakura almost broke down and cried right there, but desperation pressed her on. "Why?" she had said, her voice quavering. Why are you marrying her and not me? " Why! I thought you loved-"
" I could never love someone like you! You're so…weak and… defenseless!"
" But Sasuke I-"
" Shut up Sakura! I need someone strong to help me resurrect my clan, and you're not that someone! Why don't you just respect my wishes and leave me alone!"
I guess that's all he ever wanted. Someone with whom he could resurrect his clan. Someone strong. Someone not at all like me.
" Please, Sasuke! There's something wrong with that Sano girl! She's evil! I know it!" Sakura was begging.
" Listen to yourself, Sakura. You're pathetic."
This time Sakura actually did break down. She turned and ran as far away from Sasuke as she could, tears running down her face, not even noticing that it was raining. Hours later, still in the rain, Sakura had made up her mind. She would become stronger. She would show everyone what she really was made of. Even if it killed her to do it.
End of Flashback
Sakura didn't even notice that she had been crying until she heard the sound of droplets hitting the ground. Grabbing her bags, she stood up. Ah well. It's not like it mattered anymore. Sasuke's wedding was tomorrow, and she sure as hell wouldn't be in town to see it. It would hurt too much. Besides, she already had a mission. Waving goodbye to her faithful apartment of many years, Sakura wiped the remaining tears out of her eyes and walked out the door for the last time.
Keeping to the shadows, Sakura crept through the woods. She was almost at the train station, but didn't want to be seen by any of her old friends. It would just be too hard. A twinge of guilt swirled around in Sakura's stomach. Maybe she should have told someone she was leaving. She could have at least left a note or something…
It's not like anyone would miss me anyway.
Though she hated to admit it, Sakura didn't have many friends. All those that she did have were now the property of Sano. A tear slid silently down her cheek, but this time Sakura didn't even bother to wipe it. Instead, she held her head up high and continued on her trek through the woods. She was leaving everything behind tonight, and to do that she'd have to be strong. More tears slid as the train station came into view, but still Sakura refused to let herself sob. She was almost there, almost free, almost gone.
" I knew you would be leaving."
Sakura didn't have to turn around to recognize that voice. " Naruto, listen. I was going to tell you, I really was it's just…"
" I know Sakura. And I'm sorry." Sakura really could tell how sympathetic Naruto was, even if it was only from his voice. She dropped her bags on the forest floor and turned to face Naruto.
" I know how badly you wanted things to work out with Sasuke. And I know how much he hurt you. But…but even so, Sakura, I can't let you go." Looking at Naruto's face, Sakura was surprised to see how hurt he looked. He even looked worse than Sakura felt, and that was really saying something.
" Naruto, please believe me! I have to go!"
" No you don't! After you go, I'll have no friends left! Sasuke's so distant now that Sano's around, and nobody else will ever hang out with me like you did!"
" You'll make new friends Naruto. Trust me."
" NO! You don't have to leave!" Naruto was practically yelling.
" Yes I do," Sakura whispered quietly. " I really do."
" No you don't!"
" Yes I do!"
" NO YOU DON'T!"
"DAMMIT NARUTO! YES I DO! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!"
" STOP HIDING SAKURA! BUCK UP! YOU CAN MAKE IT THROUGH THIS! BELIEVE IT!"
" NO I CAN'T!" Sakura was sobbing hard. " No… I really can't. Ugh, Naruto, I need you to fight me!"
Naruto looked taken aback. " Fight you? Why? I'm sorry I made you cry, but I don't want to hurt you Sakura. You're my best friend."
" Just do it, okay! I don't want to have to make you!"
" No way Sakura! You just need time to calm down."
" Dammit!" Sakura's fist went flying towards Naruto's face. He barely managed to dodge it. Standing up shakily, Sakura glared him down, preparing for her next attack. In a split second, she was by his side, attacking him with everything she had. Punches, kicks, combos. Everything she knew how to do, she was doing. It was as if she was putting all her frustrations into this fight.
Not one of her attacks managed to hit him.
Naruto was too good, and he wasn't even fighting back.
But he did look scared. Scared at seeing this new side of Sakura. Scared of what Sasuke had done to the girl who was once always happy, loving, and carefree. Scared of fighting back. " Sakura, please stop. I don't want to hurt you!"
" Fight back, Naruto, or I'll use my shadow clone jitsu!" Naruto knew this threat was not idle as this was the best jitsu Sakura could perform. " Fight back!"
" No!"
" Fine then! Shadow clone-!"
" SHADOW CLONE JITSU!"
Before Sakura could register what was happening, several copies of Naruto came running at her. She only managed to block off two or three of the punches and kicks that came flying at her, before the crowd of Naruto's forced her onto the floor. A moment later, they all poofed into smoke, and the real Naruto was at her side, looking bashful.
" I'm sorry I had to do that Sakura."
" No Naruto," Sakura whispered, "it just goes to prove my point. I really am weak. You see now? This is why I have to leave. Nobody could ever love someone as…pathetic as I am. "
Naruto only looked at her with sad eyes. " You are strong, Sakura! Believe it! Do you really have to go? Is being powerful so important?"
" Yes. It's like… you and your dream to be Hokagei someday. You won't quit at it and neither will I." Taking a strained breath, she focused her energy. " Mirror image jitsu." In a split second, a lifeless form of Sakura lay under her hand. Taking a dagger out of one of her bags, Sakura only hesitated a moment before plunging it into her clone. " Naruto, take this clone of me back into the village. Say you found me this way. Nobody should be able to tell it's a clone, I don't want anyone to know I ran away," she finished, answering Naruto's questioning gaze.
Naruto nodded, grabbed the clone Sakura's lifeless form, and took a few steps towards the village. " Will you ever come back?" he questioned in a shaky voice.
" Sure I will," she said, her back towards Naruto's, bag's in hand " Believe it." Both she and Naruto gave a small, sad laugh, and then continued on to their own destinations.
Hurrying to catch her train, Sakura never even looked back until the village was far from sight. She already knew her destination.
She would prove herselfIt might take weeks. It might take months. It might even take years.
But she would do it.
A/N: Okay, I know that wasn't great, but please review anyway! Oh, and it would really help if one of you guys could tell me the name of Sasuke's older brother and the name of the town where Naruto and all them live. ( I'm new, okay?) Thanks!