A/N: A quick one-shot that came from a windy walk across campus, a beautiful song, and too much Naruto. Spoilers up to episode 109. Though I don't know why I didn't include anything from the fight with Haku and Zabuza. Suppose I just completely forgot.

Like most things I write, this didn't turn out quite like I'd planned it to (not to mention it won't let me use the spacing I'd planned), but I'm hoping it's still decent. This story starts my two-week hiatus before I get to finally post my AU I've been working on. Next week is finals week, and this week will include major studying, so until I've finished my Wednesday finals, I have to put myself on hold.

Time After Time
By Bunny-Chan
09.02.06

She was young and in love, devoting herself to gaining his attention, even at the cost of friendship.

He was cool and quiet, danger lurking just below the surface.


She was determined to pass the survival training laid out by their new sensei, so she moved quickly and quietly. Then she saw him… his body broken, bleeding out. It was too much. She gave into the blackness edging into her vision.

He was angry with himself, knowing he should have preempted the attack from below. He yelled to her as she ran into his view, confused at her sudden scream and loss of consciousness. Freeing himself from the confines of the ground, he stationed himself at her side, watching over her until she woke.


They were alone in the forest, their teammate missing.

She was horrified as the simulation of death took over her mind, shaking, no longer able to move or think.

He was scared, finally pulling up the courage from whatever abyss it had hidden in, forcing out fear through pain and carrying her with him to safety.


She caught him as he fell, screaming in agony, squeezing his hand.

He squeezed hers too, barely recognizing his guardian through the waves of nausea and torture.


She was beaten and bruised, ready to die if that was what it took to protect her friends.

He was burning with anger and a curse, ready to kill whoever had hurt her.

She watched him ruin the arms of one of her attackers. Watched him grinning with content as the boy fell to the ground, passed out from pain. She watched him start toward the only remaining enemy. Watched him as he acted so unlike the boy she had known for so long.

He felt her arms wrap around him, saw her tears falling down her black and blue face, heard her crying for him.

"Please... stop."


They had made it through the second part of the chuunin exam.

She begged him to drop out, afraid for him and the seal placed on him. She threatened to tell the teachers.

He grabbed her hand before she could raise it, telling her to shut up.

"Not even for your sake, Sakura..."


He was ready to leave, meager belongings packed and no regrets.

She begged him to stay.

"I love you with all my heart."

"...Thank you."

He left her unconscious on a stone bench.

He left her alone.

He left.


She watched their teammate walk away, ready to bring him back, and she waited. From that day forth, she would always wait, watching for his dark eyes to glance at her through a crowd or for his family symbol around some lonely corner.

She would wait.

As long as it took.

"If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you- I'll be waiting
Time after time"
- "Time After Time", Cyndi Lauper