Italics/bold: Sasuke speaking in flashback

Underline/italics: Sakura speaking in flashback

Italics/normal: Sai speaking in flashback

Bold/normal: Naruto speaking in flashback

Script: Sakura present thoughts.

Normal: present day

Six years ago:

"Why do you always stay silent?"

"Why won't you tell me anything?"

"Why do I have to tell you anything?"

"It's none of your business. Stop concerning yourself with me."

"You've always hated me huh?"

"Do you remember…the day we became genin and our team was first chosen? You and I were alone here and you got mad at me, remember?"

"I said that it was because Naruto didn't have parents that he was so obnoxious, because no one was there to get mad at him. You told me that you couldn't compare the solitude to your parents getting mad at you."

"I don't remember."

"Makes sense. That was something that happened along time ago. But that was the day everything started, you and I, and also Naruto and Kakashi-sensei."

"The four of us completed a lot of missions together, they were tough and a lot of work, but above all it was fun."

"I know about your clan, but revenge: that won't make anyone happy. No one. Neither you…nor I."

"Just as I thought. I'm different from you guys. I walk a different path then you. I tried to think it was my path to do the things we did up until now. The four of us did things together but my heart decided on revenge in the end."

"That's my purpose In life."

"I cant become like you or Naruto."

"Are you going to choose to be alone again?!"

"On that day you taught me that solitude is painful!"

"I understand that so well right now. I have family, and friends, but if you're gone then…to me…It'll be the same as being alone!"

"From now on a new path will open for all of us."

"I…"

"I love you so much. If you stay with me I'll make sure you won't regret it. Everyday will be fun. We'll be happy. I'll do anything for you. So… please stay here. I'll help you with your revenge. I'll do something. So please stay here…with me."

"If you can't stay here…then…take me with you."

"You really are annoying."

"Don't leave… If you do I'll scream."

"Sakura…thank you."

That day changed me so much. It made me so much stronger. It brought a great question before me though. Does loneliness make you stronger or is it the determination to find what you have lost that makes you strong? Naruto was lonely and became stronger because he wanted to prove himself. Sasuke's parents died and he became stronger trying to find his lost happiness. I lost my heart and became stronger trying to replace it. I wonder what truly fuels strength. I guess it's an answer never meant to be taught but to be learned.

I pull the cherry blossom from my hair and take my hair out of its ponytail. It's the same length as it was when he left. I don't know why I don't let it grow out or cut it shorter. I guess I just like my hair like this. I began to fiddle with the flower in my hand. The petals feel smooth and soft against my callous fingertips. I am not surprised to find myself unable to cry. I feel as though I should be crying. My heart hurts so much at the moment, but my tears no longer grace my heated cheeks with their cold presence. That wasn't even the last time I saw him.

Four years ago:

"How many times do you plan to stab us in the back before your happy?!"

"Sakura."

"Sasuke…kun"

"Sasuke"

"Naruto…So you're here too, eh?"

"That would mean Kakashi's here too, right?"

"Sai! Just as we thought you're after Sasuke's head."

"So is he my replacement? He was talking about wanting to protect the bonds between me and Naruto or something. Look like another drop-out has joined."

"It's true that my mission was to kill Sasuke. I'm not following orders anymore. I want my choices to be my own. Naruto-kun just may be able to get me to remember how I once felt. I have a feeling it was something very special."

"I don't know you very well but there must be some reason Sakura and Naruto are trying so hard to get you back. Trying to keep the bonds between your from breaking. Trying so hard to keep them. I haven't quite figured out why but Sasuke-kun you should understand."

"Yeah I understood. That's why I cut them loose. I have another bond. A bond called hatred…for my brother."

"Having to many bonds deludes you. It makes what would have been a strong desire, an important memory, weaker."

"But if that's so…If everything is as you say then why…back then…didn't you…"

"Why didn't you kill me?! Or is that your way of cutting bonds?"

"Naruto it's simple. It's not that I didn't cut those bonds. I just didn't want to acquire power his way."

"What are you talking about?!"

"There's no need to explain it to you."

"Although, there is one thing I want you to know. I saved you only by a whim."

"Come to think about it didn't you have a dream to become Hokage?"

"So shouldn't you have used that free time to train instead of chasing me around ?Am I right, Naruto?"

"Sasuke-kun."

"So this time at a whim of mine your life will be lost."

"How can a person that can't even save one friend ever become Hokage? Am I right…Sasuke?"

I pulled one of the four petals off of the Cherry blossom. I smirked. It was so easy to tear off. I wonder is this how the gods felt when the screwed up my life. Did they pull away my solid strings and smirk and laugh at seeing how easy they came apart.

Sasuke had tried to kill Naruto. He had tried to run him through with a sword. Sai jumped in to save Naruto and took the blow. That's when I realized it: Sasuke, the Sasuke I fell in love with was gone. He had died a long time ago and my heart with him. Now my body would belong to another but never my heart. How I wished I could have given my heart to this person who loved me but I didn't have a heart to give. Neither did he, however.

Two years ago:

"Sakura, I know you will never truly love me. That's okay because in a way I will never truly love you. But you are the closest thing I've found to love in my life and I want to make you happy. I know that you will always miss him and love him but maybe if I am there you won't feel so lonely. Sakura, will you marry me?"

"Yes, I will. As long as you understand and except the limitations of our relationship. I will never love you Sai, but I will marry you."

I broke off another petal. Finally a tear fell from my heavy eyes. I felt its wet substance travel down my cheek. It hung from my chin for a second that seemed like an eternity before falling down my shirt atop my chest. It was as if the tear could cool down my fiery heart but I knew it wouldn't. My heart was cursed to stay aflame forever. Always burning with the desire to love and be loved. The flames would burn my fragile skin but as much as I tried I could never put out the burning emotion that scorched me so.

In a way the marriage helped and in a way it hurt. It was…bittersweet. I had someone to come home to every day and someone to comfort me at night but I never had the pleasure of saying I love you or looking into his eyes and just feeling…loved. That was never there: love. It was hard to wake up every morning and know I was married to a man I didn't love, a man who didn't love me. He tried his best to make things as real as possible and for that I will always be grateful but there was a special place in my heart reserved for someone and he just couldn't fill it. He couldn't make me truly happy. He was there when I was hurt though. And that was more then Sasuke ever did.

Three years ago:

"Sakura, there's no easy way to tell you this but…the Hokage just got new of your parents deaths."

"What?! N-no. I-it c-cant be."

"I am sorry."

"Why them? Why now?"

"Sakura, it something uncontrollable. It is the life of a shinobi. They died bravely. Be grateful. They told the Hokage to have me deliver this message: Be happy."

"Be happy? How? How am I supposed to be happy when everyone is deserting me like this?! First him and now them? Doesn't anyone care that I'm lonely?"

"I do. I care about you a lot, Ugly. I will always be here when you need me. Know that alright?"

That's why I married him: because he was there. He cared enough to be there. I didn't love him but at that moment I needed him. I needed him even more when I found out the worst news I would ever hear of.

I pulled the third petal off the flower. Now only one remained. Such a fragile thing: so easy to destroy.

Two years ago:

"Sakura I have…some news."

"What kind of news, Naruto-kun?"

"Well, the teme killed his brother."

"Naruto…Are you serious. That's great he is finally coming back. He will finally come home."

"Not exactly."

"What?"

"Teme gathered a team of three other ninja. He is trying to take over sound right now. Someone said they saw him with a girl hanging on his arm. The girl belongs to his team and…chances are he isn't coming home…ever."

"No. Why? It's not fair. I need him."

"Sakura it's okay. Come here."

"Oh Sai. Why does he hate me so much?"

"It's okay Sakura. I'm here."

"But he's not."

"His loss."

And with that last heart breaking memory I pulled the last petal off of the flower. Now I sit with my back against a dead cherry blossom tree. Four petals lay scattered in front of me and in one hand I held the stem that used to hold together the four petals. It was the last Cherry blossom on the tree and I took the liberty of destroying it. I wanted to see how the Gods felt when they pulled apart my life. It turned out to be so easy it was amusing. I had destroyed the last cherry blossom of the season. The only difference between my name sake and I is that the flowers will bloom again. I won't.

A year from then we got news that Sasuke had become the official kage of the sound. A year after that we were all nineteen. I was the best medic nin in the world. My chakra control was perfect. I was one of the smartest anbu in the leaf and I was married to Konoha's newest stud. Sai had become an anbu captain and his emotions were coming back quickly. He almost said he loved me once but I cut him off with a kiss. I couldn't bear to hear those words from anyone but Sasuke. Naruto had just become Hokage and was successful in making a pact with the Sound. Yes Sasuke and Naruto met up every now and then to discuss business issues but they weren't really friends anymore. Naruto had given up on Sasuke and so had I. I decided to just wait life out and see how long it takes the God's to kill me. It seemed like they would enjoy watching me squirm, however.

I got up slowly from my place under the ironically symbolic tree and stood still for a second. I let the cold wind blow my hair around. Winter was on its way.

I knew Sai was on a mission. He wouldn't be back for a few weeks. I didn't like staying alone so I would probably end up at Naruto's tonight. He had married Hinata but of course she wouldn't mind.

I started walking absent mindedly and I was a little shocked to find myself at the bench by Konoha's gates. This was the bench he left me at. This was where my hell began. I timidly walked over to the piece of stone, my footsteps echoing in my ears. I could hear my heart beat louder with each step I took toward the center of my sadness. I slowly let my hand touch the surface of the bench. I ran my fingers over the smooth stone as if to make sure it was safe to sit. I slowly turned around and bent my knees lowering myself onto the horrible thing. I shivered as I realized I was sitting at the place it all started. It was where he told me I was annoying. It was where he left me in the night. It was where Sai proposed to me and now for the first time I sat here for no reason. For the first time I was aloud to sit on this bench without some meaningful reason. It was then I felt the presence beside me. I didn't want to look afraid of who was there to ruin my one moment of peace but I slowly let my head turn to see the figure sitting next to me. My mouth dropped open and my eyes went wide. Here next to me sitting on this bench that brought so many memories was the man that caused all of this: Uchiha Sasuke.

"Ironic, no? This is where we met. This is where we parted. Now we meet here again. I wonder what it means. Hm, Sakura?"

"S-sasuke?" I whispered.

"No –kun? I'm shocked. The rumors are false then. You don't love me anymore."

He had yet to look at me and it was ticking me off. The sight of him was making me mad. I had never felt this emotion towards him: hate. It was so powerful and…addictive. Hating him made me feel better. Maybe I truly didn't love him anymore. I wouldn't ask for a miracle.

"I never stopped. I never could. Loving you just came naturally and it always will." I spat that out with venom. I didn't know why admitting my love angered me so much. I have admitted my love for him many of times. Why do I feel this way now?

"Sakura, hate is a strong weapon. It's dangerous for a weakling like you to wield." Now he looked at me Sharingan activated. I looked away quickly. I wouldn't fall into his trap. He chuckled. What was so god damn funny?

"It is so easy to read you, Sakura. Understanding you is different however. I can read easily what your eyes say. You love me and hate me and…fear me. Yet you don't act kindly towards me, you don't attack me and you don't run away. You are so stupid."

I smirked. "The great Uchiha Sasuke can't understand something so he calls it stupid. You're the one who doesn't get it…stupid." He glared at me and I met his glare. He smirked.

"You're afraid. I can see it." He gloated.

"You really are stupid. I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of…loving you. I do not hate you. I hate loving you. You are insignificant to me. The only thing that matters to me is my love for you. But sadly since I love you, you are important to me. Understand now baka?" I asked now much more calm. I guess it does because I just rattled off something I didn't even know I knew. It made sense though and it was quite pleasing to hear.

"You're annoying. You know that?"

"You're a bastard. You know that?" He looked completely shocked. It only showed for a second but it was there and I was happy to see it.

"What? You didn't actually think I would break down in tears because a bastard like you called me annoying did you? It gets old and I get strong. I don't really care anymore. I have been through much worse then you calling me annoying."

"I lost my parents to my brother's hand and spent my life getting my revenge and you think you've been through a lot?"

"Oh I like this game. Okay let's see. I was weak and annoying and the guy I was in love with left me on a bench at night right after I confessed my love to him. Oh I know, then I had to watch that very same bastard, you know the one that left me on the bench, try to kill my best friend. Thank Kami he didn't succeed. But I'm not done yet. I then married a man I didn't love, and I won't mention he didn't love me, so that I wouldn't feel as lonely as before. Turns out the marriage were bittersweet. Sure I wasn't as lonely but I had to wake up every morning knowing I would never fall in love because my heart had been taken away from me and never returned. Now I'm done. What have you got?"

"Why are you being so immature about all of this? Take me seriously Sakura!" He jumped up from the bench and glared at me with those blood red eyes.

"I wanted you to take me seriously but you never did. Maybe I would take you serious if I knew you were serious. Why are you here? You are a ninja. You could have easily avoided me and left the village but no for some reason you had to interfere with the one moment of peace in my life and come over here to what? See if I still loved you? Why would you care? You don't love me anyway. So why don't you go back to sound with that pretty girlfriend you probably already have impregnated and stay away from me and my hell hole." I had officially lost it. He knew that. But from where I was standing. He had lost it to. He shoved me back down onto the bench landing atop me and smashed his lips on mine. His tongue licked my bottom lip and I knew what he wanted. I wanted it to so I gave it too him. Our tongues fought for dominance and in the end he won. He wasn't done yet though. Not even close. His hands began to search my body and I knew he wanted more and so did I so I gave it to him. I breathed out though: "Not here." He understood and teleported us both back to the Uchiha manor. Next thing I knew the clothes came off and the only thought I had was: He won't be here in the morning. But that's okay because he's here now. For the first time he's here.