(A/N): A tribute to the strong friendship Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura once had. A 'what if' situation that takes place before the Pain episode of the manga, so *hopefully* no spoilers for anyone?

They met accidentally. And she didn't tell a soul. Because that was just who she was - who she'd become.

Standing under a starless sky on the outskirts of Konoha. She knew why he was here. She shouldn't have even tried to stop him. But to be fair, he didn't have to stop to listen to her.

"Do you know why he asked you to kill your best friend? Why it's only then that you could become stronger?"

Sasuke's eyes flickered. He didn't respond.

"Because after you've killed Naruto, then there's nothing left in this world for you, Sasuke-kun." Her voice was strained. Like she'd practiced the speech in her head a million times, and this was the first time she'd voiced such thoughts aloud. "And if there's nothing left in this world, then you have nothing to lose."

The look he gave her was long and tortured. "Nothing to lose?" he repeated.

A brief stillness hung in the air.

"I don't cry as often anymore, you know?" Her laughter was painful and made his ears bleed. "I think my heart's almost dried up."

She paused to smile at him. And what scared him was how honest it was. "I guess I have you to thank for that, huh?"

A flash of emotion ran across Sasuke's face so quickly Sakura couldn't even label it.

"You're welcome," he said dryly.

The fists clenched at her side trembled in frustration.

Sasuke's cold demeanor was almost heart-breaking.

Almost.

She was a smart girl, after all. She'd learned her lesson.

"You're really planning to destroy all of Konoha?"

He smirked. "Or die trying."

She smiled softly - devastatingly. "It may come to that…" She paused, glancing down at her feet. "Can I ask you question?"

She took the silence he gave her as a go-ahead.

"Naruto won't give up. I won't give up. You won't give up." She sighed. "Does it hurt you as much as it hurts us?"

The underlying question: are we still friends?

His answer was concise and barely audible. "Sometimes."

A sense of hope filled her then, and she smiled a genuine smile at him. Similar to the ones she always gave him when she was younger, minus the lovesick atmosphere attached to it.

It was almost beautiful.

He turned then, and began walking away from the village.

"Naruto probably knows you're here," she tossed to his retreating form. "He'll be coming after you."

The halt in his steps were the only indication he gave that he'd heard her words. He jumped, shooting into the air and over the wall with ease and precision. It was done so quickly and quietly she didn't even hear him land on the other side.

Sakura sent the clear heavens one last glance before following suit.

"Here we go."

(A/N): I never thought I would write something for this anime series, but go figure. I think the best aspect about this anime is the friendship these three characters had. Heartbreaking and inspiring. I'm a sucker for those kind of story lines. And the episode when Naruto and Sakura finally confront Sasuke again after so long? Now THAT is good TV.