The girl I used to be

It was such a familiar sight. So familiar, that Sakura had to remind herself to breathe.

There was a young girl, barely older than thirteen. Her face was buried somewhere between her knees as she tried to make herself appear as small as possible.

Sakura remembered it so well. Too well.

So well in fact, that Sakura sat down beside the girl on the bench, simply sitting down next to the girl who was crying her heart out, but trying hard not to show anyone- but the tears were still seen anyway. All those tears were in vain.
Most people would have called the girl stupid. Or pathetic. Or weak.

Or annoying.

Sakura simply swallowed as fresh sets of tears leaked down the girl's eyes which she buried in her knees. Sakura knew why the girl was crying here. She didn't have anywhere else to cry. Sakura knew that the girl wouldn't cry at home, not wanting to worry her family…

"Why…" she sniffed, her voice croaking. "Why doesn't he love me?"

Most people would have laughed at her for being so stupid. The girl was thirteen. She'd only just learned to spell the word love. Besides, if she was ever going to be a successful kunoichi, stupid things like feelings had to be killed right now.

Sakura didn't smile, merely pulling the girl into an embrace. Usually, when Sakura sat with her knees hugging herself, it didn't take a psychology book to figure out she needed comfort.

"I'm breaking… I'm breaking r-rule number 2-25…" The girl sobbed into Sakura's arms.

Sakura didn't say 'it's okay', because it clearly wasn't. She knew that the girl had liked her team mate, only for it to be unrequited as he had found a tall, pretty kunoichi with long, dark hair and exotic blue eyes. The girl that Sakura was hugging was the weakest on her team…

"It won't always feel this bad…" Sakura whispered finally, stroking the girl's hair.

"I don't know what to do… I feel like quitting being a ninja…" the girl sobbed, reasoning why she should quit… how this life wasn't for her. "Why're you even h-h-here? Y-you're T-Tsunade-Sama's protégée. Y-you're amazing…"

Sakura laughed, though it sounded foreign to her ears. "You're the girl I used to be."

"You little… heart broken… thirteen-year old me…"

Sakura simply held her, telling her to be strong. It was like having a conversation with herself. Usually, it was only Inner Sakura who would tell her to get a grip girl! And then… it had surprisingly been Tenten of all people who had sneered at her.

"Girls like you disgust me. Waiting around for their man like you're their faithful little pet. Seriously, Haruno, get some self-respect," she'd spat, glaring at her. "You make me ashamed to be a part of the same gender."

Sakura wouldn't say those words to this girl. Sakura suspected this girl didn't have another personality that would take over. This girl was even more fragile than herself.

At least…

Sakura had an indomitable spirit.

Meh... wrote because everyone feels worthless sometimes. For the record, Tenten is my favourite kunoichi. Inspired by Pink's song.