"This is the girl," I whispered, looking at the photo in my trembling hand, then at the pink-haired teenager who was sleeping

"This is the girl," I whispered, looking at the photo in my trembling hand, then at the pink-haired teenager who was sleeping on her bed. I swept back my blond hair, trying to stop my shaking.

What was I doing, spying on a girl, through a window? Why should I tell you?

But on the other hand, why not?

No, I'm not a stalker. I'm not some sort of freak either.

Though soon enough, I will be someone a lot worse than either.

"What's her name…Sakura?" I muttered to myself and smirked. The name completely suited her. Inside, Sakura turned over, letting out a sigh.

I'm Yamanaka Ino, a dropout from Konoha High, 16 years old. School doesn't interest me so I quit going a month ago. Right after when my Sasuke-kun…

I winced as I remembered.

"Let him go!" I screamed. "Sasuke-kun!"

The man in front of me grinned menacingly, holding a knife to Sasuke's neck. "Yamanaka Ino, right? And from Konoha High. Don't worry, I'm not going to kill him." Sasuke grimaced as the man punched him painfully in the shoulder.

"Stop!" I pleaded.

"I'll return him," he answered and I smiled in relief. "But on one condition." He licked his lips.

"What is it? I'll do anything!" I cried. "I'll even trade myself for him. Take me instead! Not Sasuke-kun!"

He spat in disgust. "You are worthless. There is someone who I do want though." He smiled. "Why do you care so much for this bastard anyways? He doesn't care a shit for you. If it were you that I was holding right now, he wouldn't even lift a finger for you."

Though I felt hurt, I ignored the statement. "Who is it that you want?"

He threw me a photo and I caught it desperately. A pale, pink-haired girl looked at me dispassionately. "I believe she goes by the name Haruno Sakura."

I recognized her. She was in one of my classes. "If I bring her, you're returning her safely too. Along with Sasuke-kun."

"Sure, sure," he replied. "Just bring her at this place by November 1st. You have exactly two months." He smirked, gripping Sasuke harder until he let out a cry. "See you then."

"Wait!" He stopped, annoyed. "What's your name?"

He chuckled. "It's never good to give names away, sweetheart. But it doesn't matter anyways. They know me as Orochimaru."

The next day, I called school to say I was sick. Which I wasn't. But you can't blame me for not going. What was the point if Sasuke wasn't there?

So here I was, staring at the girl. "What's so special about her?" I murmured. Other than her hair and her wide forehead, she was nothing more than an ordinary girl. How could anyone choose her over me?

"It doesn't matter. Nothing does. Only Sasuke-kun." I tried to make up my mind whether I was going to do what I should do.

I finally nodded, determined. "Sasuke-kun," I whispered dreamily. The qualms I had before were completely obliterated when I thought about him. "This is for you." I punched the window and sharp pieces of glass pierced my skin.