Title: Love's Labours Lost

Author: medic2be

Characters/Pairing: Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke [one sided KarinSasu]

Type: One-shot (Complete)

Genre: Romance/ angst

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto.

Summary: Because Sakura + Sasuke = Meant To Be. And Karin realises too late, that in Sasuke's eyes, she could never compare. (Karin POV) SasuSaku [one sided KarinSasu]

AN: Quick one shot because Chapter 1 of the 'Epic' is still bleh.


The Gates of Konoha

(Karin POV)

Karin always knew that in the violent world of shinobi, fairy tales did not exist.

But that did not stop her from dreaming of the day her Knight in Shining Armour would come to rescue her from the death, misery and pain permanently affixed to being a weapon.

Then she had met him

Sasuke Uchiha

Someone with the same tormented soul as she.

Yet he was different. He had an inner strength she envied, and above all admired.

Maybe, Karin had thought, she had found her Knight.

Karin marvels as a true smile, not a smirk, softens the tormented lines of Sasuke's mouth.

The picture is so heart rending and beautiful, that a tear escapes even her hardened and bitter eyes.

It is precisely then, that Karin realises it had always been about her, because she gives him his admirable strength, and by her side, Sasuke was home.

And it hurt…

It hurt so damn much because fairy tale endings were not meant for the likes of her.

And Karin knows now… That in Sasuke's eyes, no one can ever compare to this beautiful 'Cherry Blossom of Spring', least of all, someone as…shortcoming as herself.

Emerald traps Maroon as Sasuke shifts his weary head to rest upon her shoulders.

Green eyes warm in genuine gratitude as rose bud lips mouth 'Thank you'

That enigmatic statement which expresses so much yet so little is the final straw… Karin feels the pieces of her heart break just a little more.

Despite everything, Karin cannot bring her self to hate her, because this is her fairy tale.

Too late, she realises, her desperate attempts to win Sasuke's heart was doomed from the start. Because all this time…her…this Sakura Haruno had secretly held it in the palm of her hand.

Wistfully, Karin realises that Sasuke was never her Knight in Shining Armour but her Prince in Darkness.

But now; Sasuke was back in the light…where he belonged.

Karin wipes away her tears and walks away from their happily ever after, taking with her the remains of her broken heart.


AN: Because Karin is human too and deserves her moment.

Thoughts, opinions and views are appreciated.