Story: Eyes Closed, Mind Free

Genre: Romance, Angst

Rating: Teen

Summary: Summary: Sakura has been living alone in the shadows since she felt that somehow, her and Sasuke's relationship had no meaning. And ever since, Sasuke has hated her with pure venom.. for what?

A Naruto Story

Disclaimer:Naruto, in all rights, belongs to Masashi Kimoto and its other respectful owners.

Note to Readers: This is my very first Naruto story. Reading many of these stories on deeply inspired me to write some of my own. I welcome logical criticism, and compliments. Note that the characters (especially Sasuke) might be OOC at times to fit my story.

Here are some notes to help you understand who's saying what.

I like ice cream - refers to someone's thoughts, and in Sakura's case, her Inner.

I like ice cream - narration or speech.

A line above and under I like ice cream - a flashback.

Enjoy!

Chapter One: Not Meant To Be

It's not worth it, Sakura…

I knew it wasn't. But, I still wanted him. To feel loved, and wanted again.

I took nimble steps to the park of Konoha. It was a lovely place to replenish oneself and allow them to think about the past. On the wet grass lay an array of wooden benches. I proceeded to take a seat on one. I mimicked a Sasuke style pose, slouching forward, fingers woven into each other, nose covered by the long pale palms of my hands. I wanted to break free from the situation I was in… but I knew better than that. It wasn't always that easy to run away.

"Sakura, you're annoying," he said, not bothering to keep eye contact.

"I know Sasuke, I know." I wanted to curse him, and scold him for not understanding others, but I couldn't bring myself to do so.

"Then why do you still talk to me? Leave me alone. You're useless to me now. You're nothing." He smirked at my deeply hurt face, and vanished under the moonlight.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks, and I couldn't bear to hide my feelings anymore. He didn't understand why I had to do it... But I knew, as I fell on my knees choking sobs, that he would never understand. I knew that even before I tried to explain, he wouldn't understand anyway. So why had it hurt nonetheless?

I didn't bother to heal my scraped knees from banging onto the pavement.

Here I was, crying again for the millionth time in my life.

Just like Sasuke said... I'm annoying.

I'm grateful that Naruto finally beat Sasuke, and brought him back. It wasn't easy though. We went through years and years of training together until we were both 17. The reason Sasuke probably agreed in the end was because Itachi was dead.

But Karin... she just had to come following after Sasuke like a dog.

I was overflood with happiness. Sasuke, finally back? It was too good to be true. But it was.

I wanted to hug Sasuke, and say, "Welcome Back!" like nothing ever happened. But there was Karin, hugging him instead, and saying "Don't worry Sasuke, I'll always be with you, even in Konoha! We'll be together forever!" Those two lines revolted me. I didn't look at him. Instead, I consoled Naruto and gave him the respect he deserved for bringing his best friend back.

"Sakura, I fufilled your promise! Now go on a date with me!" he laughed. I could tell he was joking. We've been best friends ever since we were 15. I hugged him instead, thanking him. But I knew this wasn't only for me. It was for him, too.

"Now you only have one goal left, neh, Naruto?"

"Yeah, Sakura-chan! To be the Hokage! Dattebayo!"

"Naruto. Sakura," murmured Sasuke. It wasn't a question, or an invitation for a hug, but merely a statement that meant so much to me and Naruto.

I sensed a presence, or rather, two. I darted my eyes, to check who was disrupting the peaceful park at this hour.

My eyes caught on to two people, walking side by side. The moonlight paled their vivid features, and at once I recognized the pair. Sasuke Uchiha and his new item, Karin.

He was talking to her is if he actually cared for her. I knew better, but my inner self still prodded me with unwanted thoughts.

Oh Sakura, Sasuke loves and cares about Karin.

He never loved you.

Don't you see, Sakura?

Let him be. He's much better off without you, and so are you!

I frowned at my inner thoughts. Sure, my inner was trying to cheer me up... but could those words really make me forget our... love affair?

Karin laughed heartily. She wasn't bitchy. She wasn't a snob. She was perfect... to Sasuke. But I knew she wasn't all that she implied she was. During the relationship, she was as sweet as angel, and as lovely as a bird. But if there was a break up, she would simply hunt for another man. Like the old saying, men are simply fish in the sea.

Sasuke was flushed with joy. Karin held on to him lovingly, as if they could never be seperated. Any other day, I would have deemed it gross and sick, but I knew what it was like being with Sasuke Uchiha. It would feel as if I didn't care what everyone thought about. Our relationship… was perfect. So… so why did this all happen?

Because of that feeling that bothered you, everday, Sakura...

In the middle of a passionate make out session, Sasuke finally noticed me. At first, his glazed eyes looked surprised… but then the Sharingan eyes appeared. The ones I had feared. The ones that appeared in my dream every night, enveloping me in a world of darkness.

"Sakura…" he hissed. He stared at me with hatred. Oh, if the looks could kill…

Karin noticed that Sasuke's attention wasn't directed to her, and then her horrid eyes spied me as well.

"The Haruno girl." she muttered under her breath, so softly that I almost missed it. Then, slowly, she walked up to me.

"Sakura-chan! What are you doing here in this lonely night?" she asked, mocking concern.

I looked up briefly at her, and chose my words carefully.

"Just relaxing, you know? ANBU missions aren't all cream and cake."

"Why… of course. You're an ANBU. You need lots of relaxation for your missions."

The mockery and hatred in her voice was obvious. So obvious that I wanted to punch her, right then and there. Karin had always envied me for becoming an ANBU. Trying to prove in every way that she was perfect, she wanted to beat everyone everything. Except for Sasuke, of course.

"Sasuke, I thought we established that you wouldn't bother me. Karin's in the agreement as well."

"Hn."

I couldn't take the sight anymore, and I decided to leave. I wasn't in the mood to fight back today.

As soon as I had reached the entrance of the park, I risked a glance back at Karin and Sasuke. Still making out.

A chilling breeze of wind swept across me, grazing and biting my visible skin. I uttered profanities at myself for wearing flip flops, dark green shorts, and a light green hoodie. It left an enormous chill in my spine, reminding me of Sasuke when he used to kiss me with those astounding lips...

Stop, Sakura. We vowed we'd never think about it again, right?

I laughed weakly as my Inner tried to console me like an adult. As I had grown over the years, she had, too.

I prepared myself a cup of ramen on the kitchen counter, back at home. I guess Naruto's habit of unhealthy food rubbed on me, as well. I slurped the noodles and trudged up the stairs, skipping over a step with many cracks (from beating Naruto up for being perverted).

As I laid on my bed, I embraced the moonlight, basking in its cool sensation. The aftereffects from today's mission coincedentally decided to erupt on me now. I only managed one though to register in my brain before I could no longer hold any more conciousness.

Sasuke, we weren't meant to be. You were only a womanizer and you never truly loved me.

To be Continued :)

A/N: Reviews make me happy. :)