Summary: In their first lives, Sasuke and Sakura were in love, but then Sasuke was called off to war. He was killed. She became an immortal and is now living under the guise of a high school girl. What happens when a boy who is in every way her long dead fiancé walks into her classroom?

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto. Wouldn't life be so much more fun if I did though…?

Brief A/N: The first part of this story is in like BC sometime or other. That's why Sasuke's name is Raiden for now. It'll be Sasuke later.

The Ghost of You

Chapter One

Raiden PoV (will be Sasuke eventually. This is his before he died hehe)

"I wish you didn't have to go," Sakura whispered into my chest.

"I don't want to. Believe me, but I will come back for you. That's a promise. It doesn't matter how long it takes me." I told her softly and caressed her hair.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked.

"Call me physic." I joked. I received a glare from my little cherry blossom. "Sorry, but why do women always have to have a ton of details? Why can't they be happy with what they have?"

"It's called reasoning. I find that very few men have it."

"Reasoning?" I gave her a curious look.

"Yes. The more details we posses, the better reasoning we can have and our woman's intuition will be more accurate," Sakura said grumpily.

"Well, as a man, I can tell you that that was the most absurd thing I have ever heard."

"Oh well. It's true. Now be quiet. I just want to spend the night in your arms. It'll be awhile until I get the opportunity again."

I could practically hear the, if I get to do this again, in her head.

You see, I was leaving to go to war tomorrow. It would be a year long crusade between traveling, fighting, conquering, and anything else the emperor wanted us to do. I was a mere foot soldier and would be on the front line. My life and the lives of the other men with me would be given first. We are not important to the higher ups and are easily replaceable. I knew that I probably wasn't going to actually come home. The chances of me surviving at the hand to hand combat were slim.

There was one last thing I wanted to do before I left.

"Are you still awake, Sakura?" I asked her.

"Yeah. Why?"

"There's something I wanted to give you. Close your eyes, please." I said quietly.

"What are you going to do to me, Raiden?"

"Nothing life threatening, I promise. Now, your eyes, please."

She smiled and did as I asked. I grabbed my mother's necklace out of my pocket. I had been waiting for the perfect moment, but I had run out of time. I wanted for her to be mine.

I placed it against her neck and she let out and audible gasp, automatically knowing what it was. Her hand flew to her neck to grasp at it.

"Raiden, this is your mother's. I can't accept it."

"Yes you can. She told me to give this to the woman who I wanted to make my wife, the woman who stole my heart. You did a fine job of that, Sakura-chan. Please accept this. When I come back, you will be the most amazing mistress to the Uchiha clan that this world has ever seen. "(A/N: he's still part of the Uchiha clan. They just aren't big wigs or ninjas yet. And any ideas to replace the word mistress? It sounds dirty and scandalous. Anywho...)

My little cherry blossom squealed and threw her arms around my neck. "You just better make sure you come home, now."

"I wouldn't leave you for the world." I said softly in her ear. I started placing butterfly-soft kisses across her face and neck. "Let me prove it to you," I said.

"I don't need proof. I know you wouldn't, but feel free to." I smirked. Sakura'd give me anything I wanted.

I lay on the bed, Sakura wrapped in my arms. I could stay like this forever. It was so peaceful. She seemed to just fit into me as if we were two matching puzzle pieces. I couldn't imagine that this could be one of the last moments I spent with her.

The war seemed so unreal and so far away right now, like it wasn't going on a few towns away. I mentally bookmarked this spot in time to remember when I was at war. I would truly miss instants like this.

I quietly climbed out of bed, already missing her warmth. Sakura's brow furrowed and her hands subconsciously started searching for me. I smiled. She was so endearing. I don't know what I'd do without her and how I was going to survive the next year.

At least I knew I would never be alone again. She on the other hand, did not. At the mere age of three, her parents abandoned her. She was alone for eleven years and then was sent to work for the same people my family labors for. The lord had placed her under my mother's care so she could show Sakura the ropes and how things were done. They had had a deep bond.

It was through my mom that we met. I remember that day like it was yesterday instead of four years ago.

Flashback

I was coming home from the fields, tired and sore. The overseers worked us like dogs. They were very adamant about getting the rice to town in time. Time was something we were getting short on this year and there was still a lot to be done. Kami had provided us with an over abundance of crop this season. There was almost no way we could get it all picked. We were in for longer and harder days for the next week or so.

Ka-san ran out the door when she saw me, my father, and my brother get off the wagon. She had a very excited look on her face. I wonder what scheme she was scheming now. She was always up to something.

"Hey, Mom," Hisashi said as he gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Hello, dear. Don't forget to wipe off your shoes before you come in. I don't like dirt in my house and I certainly don't want our guest to be horrified by your disgusting male habits."

"We have a guest?" my father asked, making sure he had heard right.

"Yes, we have a guest living with us for a while. She's such a sweet little thing. In fact, I think she's your age, Raiden. Maybe you could help her fell a little more comfortable. She's terribly shy."

"Why do we have a visitor, though?" Father pressed.

"She needed a place to stay until she's married and has a home of her own. Did you know she has no family at all? It's quite sad, really. It doesn't seem to phase her much either. I asked her about it but she acted so nonchalant. I don't know how she can be. I wouldn't be able to cope with my parents deliberately leaving me at such a young age. I don't understand how that girl can still smile." My father got a concerned look on his face regarding Mother's statements about the girl's life.

I saw a movement in a nearby window. A young woman with pink hair stood there, just watching us. She had the most captivating green eyes and was wearing a deep red kimono. The seems had small cherry-blossoms embroidered along them. Her face turned a cute shade of red when she realized I was looking at her.

"Mom, was that her I just saw in the window?" I inquired.

"Probably. She has bright pink hair. You can't miss her."

"Yeah, that was her alright. So what's she doing here?"

"Well, if you paying attention, you would have heard that she needed the money and came to work. The mistress asked me to show her how things work around here. I expect you to be civil. No making her feel uncomfortable or I will have your neck. Is that understood by all of you?"

We nodded. "Good, now you can meet her. I think you'll really like her. I enjoy her company very much." She said as she bounded up the steps. "Sakura, I'd like you to meet my family." Ka-san told the pinkette, who was working diligently at the stove and making dinner. "This is my husband and my two wonderful boys. Hisashi is the one waiting at the table for food and Raiden is sulking next to the door. I bet he's upset your taking his room." She was taking my room? When did I agree to this? Why wasn't I informed? A little heads up would have been nice.

"I don't want to impose. I'll just stay on the living room floor. It is already bad enough that I am taking up room in your household. I do not wish to cause the young master any inconvenience." Sakura mumbled to the floor.

"It's fine, dear. You're not intruding. We love to have you here and Raiden is definitely not a master. Don't feel bad." Ka-san went to wrap her arms around the girl, but Sakura pulled quickly away. She must not be a people person.

"Dinner is just about ready," Sakura informed us. "Take your seats and I will serve you."

The food was incredible. It practically melted in your mouth. Of course Ka-san made a big fuss about her serving everyone and the fact that she didn't eat in front of us. I saw her sneaking a few bites of this and that when I woke up in the middle of the night. I wondered why she thought so little of herself…

End Flashback

I brushed some bangs off of Sakura's face. She smiled in her sleep and turned towards my hand. She was just as pretty the day we met as she was now. I was so glad she wasn't as private now as she was then.

I thought back to the many plans Mother had formed for me and my angel over the years. She was always coming up with ways to get us alone together. She finally left us alone after our first date. I remember it clearly and that it wasn't really a date.

Flashback

I looked down at the pink-haired girl walking beside me. The moonlight danced across her face, making it glow. A small, red flower was placed in her knotted hair and she was humming what sounded like a lullaby. I couldn't be sure though. She was far too silent.

"So, is there anything you'd like to do or talk about?" I asked after a little while.

She simply shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me."

I tried thinking of some basic questions but nothing was coming to mind except her childhood. I had wanted to stay away from the topic but, as I said before, I couldn't think of anything.

"How old were you?"

"Excuse me," she said, confused.

"How old were you when your parents left?"

I saw her body stiffen and fail to repress a shiver. "I was 3."

"Did they leave you with anyone?"

"No, they didn't care enough about me to even ditch me at an orphanage. It was only a road in the middle of nowhere," she told me in a clipped tone.

"Do you know why they left?"

"Do I look like I remember anything?" she snapped. "New subject..." She started rubbing something on the back of her neck. When her hand dropped, I saw several small scares running in all different directions.

"Where did you get those scars?" I was genuinely curious.

"I don't remember." Sakura said through gritted teeth. "New subject…."

"Like what?"

"I don't care. Let's talk about you."

"Me… well let's see… I like tomatoes. I like fighting with Hisashi when we have a day off. I dislike your parents." She snorted at the last one. "What?"

"You've never even met them and you've only heard two facts about them. I hardly call that enough to judge them on. Are you always so judgmental of people?" Sakura asked in a callous voice.

"No, I'm not but anyone who abandons a sweet little angel like you should have a very high punishment." I said. I could have sworn I heard her say, 'then you don't know me very well,' but once more she was too quiet to tell. "Um… I'll go back to my likes. I like my family. I like the color pink. I like cherry-blossoms. I like anything that's red or green. I like your company. I like your hair. I like your personality. I like the manner in which you carry yourself and don't give a damn about what other people think of you. I like the fact that you're not one of my crazy fangirls. In other words, I believe you have bewitched me." Sakura smiled. I think flattery is working.

"Did your mother put you up to this, Raiden?" She asked.

I gave her a quizzical look. "No, why do you ask?"

"You usually aren't so caring towards me. I know your mother wants us together badly all of the sudden even though she's been hinting at it over the past few months."

"I noticed that as well. Do you have any idea why that is?" I inquired.

'I do know the reason but she will tell you when she's ready. I believe that she just needs some more time to acknowledge it." Tears started pooling within her eyes.

"How do know what's going on?"

"She was scared of what would happen and wanted a woman's opinion. I am very worried about her."

Sakura was making me worried about my mother. I had never had a real reason to worry about her, but now I was dreading the worst. What could be so bad that my mother was afraid? She wasn't scared of anything. This could be very bad.

"I'm sorry to cut this short, Raiden, but I need to get back. There are things that need my attending to. I very much enjoyed our stroll. I look forward to the next. You don't need to walk me back if you don't wish to. I can find my way. It looks like you want to spend time alone to think," she said in a rushed voice.

"Yes, I do. Thank-you for understanding."

She nodded at me and walked off.

End Flashback

That was how our first official date went. It was fun, no? Okay, it went terrible, but I got information about her.

I kissed my sleeping fiancée's temple and went to do the morning chores. When I got done and was dressed, breakfast was being made in the kitchen. I walked up behind Sakura and pulled her to me. She let out a playful shriek as she accidentally hit me in the face with her spoon.

I grabbed my nose and pretended to be in pain. She started obsessing over me, asking where it hurt, saying she was sorry, and yadda, yadda, yadda. I knew she would do this. I just wanted to see her smile when she realized it was a joke. She, however, didn't think it was funny when she did.

"Damn it, Raiden! Why do you feel the need to torture me? You're going to be spending a year at war in pain and you subject me to this? The pain there won't be a simple wooden spoon to the nose either! It'll be a lot worse! It could kill you!"

She sank down to the floor, her hands covering her face. Sobs rocketed through her body. I sat next to her and lifted her small frame into my arms. She clung to my shirt like her life depended upon it. I murmured soothing words to her, but she didn't calm down. We must have been there for an hour. I vaguely remember taking breakfast out of the oven so it didn't burn.

When Sakura finally calmed down enough to talk, she kept apologizing profusely. "I'm sorry, Raiden-kun. I didn't mean to freak out like that. I told myself I wasn't going to and then you played that stupid prank and I just lost it. I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. I've honestly been waiting for you to do that. You wouldn't be human if you didn't."

"It's not fair how you always know what to say," she sniffled.

"I like it," I said. "That means I can always cheer you up." A small smile graced her lips. "There's the smile I was going for earlier." I said softly and then she kept rearranging her face, trying to make it go into a grimace. It didn't work, however. Every time her smile just got bigger and bigger. After a couple minutes, we were back on the ground with tears pouring down our faces, but there was laughter this time.

She took a peak at the sun dial outside the window. "It's almost time for you to go," Sakura said. "You should eat something. I don't want you to leave on an empty stomach."

"Yeah. Just slap some food on a plate for me, please."

"Here, I'm sorry it's cold but heating it up would take too long. We are pressed on time." She set a plate in front of me and I think I died prematurely. It was an omelet with tomatoes falling out of every side.

"I love you even more, Sakura-chan. Thank you for this. With all the fattening meals you've been giving me I'd almost be too big to go and fight."

"If only," she said with a small smile. Sakura ran her fingers through my hair as I stuffed my mouth full of tomatoes, eggs, peppers, cheese, and sausage. It was probably the most filling omelet I'd ever eaten. It was the tastiest, too.

Just as I was finishing up, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it." Sakura said and moved towards the door. An officer was there in uniform and I could see a band of soldiers outside waiting.

"I'm here for Uchiha Raiden."

"I know. Wait a moment, please." I heard her say in a small voice. "Raiden, they're here."

"I heard. I'll come home," I whispered in her ear as I held for a quick moment. "I always keep my promises."

"I know. Be careful."

"It's war. There's no such thing as careful."

"Ahem," the officer cleared his throat. "We need to leave. As you just pointed out to the little lady, it's war."

"I'm coming. I love you," I told her for the last time.

I walked out of the house but I looked at her leaning in the doorway until I was yelled at. She waved goodbye and called out, "I love you! Good luck to you all!"

I put on a blank mask and tried not to let the others see how much pain I was in. My heart broke a little more with every step I took away from my Sakura-chan.

A/N: How was it? This kind of an old story, so I don't think it's one of my best, but I want to know what you think. Fill me in on your thoughts. Ask any questions. I'll do my best to answer them.

And I got more if anyone wants it, but you have to review this chapter. I'm not posting more without any reviews. I hope that doesn't sound whiney or anything, but I really need feedback, mean or nice. Okay, I'm going to stop babbling now…