Author's Note: Hello everyone! For those familiar with me, I am Sweetness, author of my very first fanfiction, The Diaries of Haruno Sakura: my life! Now if you have not read it, I think you should! The stories have no relation to each other whatsoever, but, maybe you should read it to be familiar with my writing style. I think my style remains constant whenever I write, so I guess it's a good thing? I'm not sure. I am looking forward to meeting new fans who I hope will take part in the writing process of this story. I may update again this weekend, I'm not sure. I'm in the process of studying for AP exams, so we'll see. Also, I am not the original author of this story. That title goes to Unheard Symphony. She never finished, leaving me and many other readers wanting more. I decided to take matter into my own hands and complete it, with my own twists of course ;) Now let's read!

Disclaimer: I do NOT, repeat do NOT own the Naruto series. If I did, I'd slap Kishimoto, tell him what he's completely doing wrong with the plot, and replace it with aspects of this story, with two certain characters of course, hehe…

Chapter 1: Whispers of the Lonely Heart

Pain…

The word haunts me everyday.

I could never be free, only because my very existence could not allow me to do it. There are moments when I feel empty and alone. An outside spectator might look at me and think nothing is wrong, well, maybe if they forget to look deep into my emerald eyes.

My name is Haruno Sakura, a descendant of the ancient Haruno clan. Every time I walk outside and am forced to introduce myself, people react wildly. As if being a member of the Haruno clan is highly prestigious. I am the youngest and last member, of the Haruno clan. My grandmother and I have inherited all of my family's riches; yet, our way of living does not show it. We live normal lives just like the other villagers here in Konohagakure. It's actually nice, because we blend in perfectly well.

Although, if I could trade my life with anyone, even with the poorest of the poor, I would. Money has no importance in my life; I want someone to love me as much as I am able to love them. All Haruno clan members, since the day of their birth, are cursed. Even if someone may have fallen for us, we cannot say how much we love them. For if we do so, the beloved will die right before our own eyes.

It was nine years ago. At the age of ten, I came home besotted. Of course being that young and innocent never made me realize what was awaiting me as soon as I got home that day. Grandmother Chiyo noticed my face flushed and a red pigment rising in my cheeks as my temperament changed drastically from a usually quiet one, to the behavior of an adolescent. This feeling was something that I was too young to experience at the time.

She asked me everyday of that week to finish up chores around the house. I was always an obedient child, never spoiled.

"No", I remember distinctly saying.

Oba-san was furious. She scolded me, but I didn't care.

"Do it or you will face consequences", she said.

The next day after coming back home, Oba-san asked me again to tend to the garden. I was oblivious. Other thoughts clouded my mind. It was a strange feeling, yet, I loved every moment of it. Ignoring her, I walked to my room and shut the door to control my giddiness. Grandmother Chiyo stomped up the steps and pounded on my door.

"You will face severe consequences, Haruno Sakura. Get out here immediately".

I heard her walk back downstairs and decided to go outside so I could get a whiff of fresh air. It was summertime, and I wanted to meet up at the lake with my friends. After changing into a simple light green one-piece bathing suit, I proceeded to leave my room and head outside. There was a problem…

I couldn't leave my room…

She locked my door from the outside. Running to the other side of my room, I hoped to escape through the window. That was locked as well.

"Oba-san, please! Let me out! Let me out!"

There was laughter coming from outside my door. She didn't even bother responding and walked away. I was left like this for two whole days, without any breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It was scary for me since I was a helpless ten year old girl. Living for two straight days without anything to eat made me exhausted. All I could so was sleep in my bed into the next morning. My door cracked open, revealing a pair of beady gray eyes. Oba-san slid a tray with a plate of teriyaki chicken and rice and a cool glass of water on the wooden floor of my room.

"Eat this", she demanded, and left me again.

My instincts forced me to run in front of my door and eat like a wild animal. Food had never tasted better. I turned the knob, and thankfully, my door opened. I went outside for the next couple days and came back home with a dreamy look on my face. Grandmother Chiyo sat by the fireplace reading a book. She didn't bother asking me how my day went, she never did.

"Sakura, massage my back. Use this oil to do so", she ordered while throwing the bottle of baby oil at me. My thoughts and feelings shifted once again as the most perfect image in the world entered my mind. It was so consuming to the point where I just walked back upstairs without saying anything to her.

Before my foot landed on the first step, grandmother Chiyo forcefully turned me around and face her.

"You good-for-nothing brat, how dare you disobey me!"

She slapped my face as I pushed her away. The woman merely grabbed my wrist in response, and demanded that I bend down.

That was the worst thing I could have ever done…

Sheer pain from the contact of a whip caused me to scream in agony. I tried to escape and run for the doorway. Although old, she possessed the speed of a highly skilled shinobi. There was no way I could even dream to outrun her. She continued to whip me, and the more I screamed the more she enjoyed it. Blood, warm and fresh, flowed down my back. I stayed in the bent position for a while as she left me locked in the house. For two hours, I lay on the floor, completely traumatized. While bathing, I had to put up with the stinging in my back and fell asleep that night scared to death. There was a monster living in my house, and I was the victim.

The next day, I walked into the bathroom and checked the status of my back. Thankfully since I was young, it healed quickly. There was still an ounce of pain left every time I placed my hand on that area of my skin. Looking out the window made me forget about what happened yesterday. It was about time to enjoy the day. It was warm and sunny out!

I left the house and ran all throughout the village feeling free, independent, and secure. It was difficult enjoying childhood when you had an abusive grandmother, but the rest of the village was sort of like my family. They were all friendly and kind.

"Sakura-chaaaannnn!"

The voice that called my name made me feel as happy as ever. It was my good friend Yamanaka Ino. She had beautiful golden locks and eyes like the deep blue sea.

"Ino-chan!" I called.

We embraced each other into a warm hug, the safest I've ever felt in anyone's arms.

"Do you want to come with me to see my momma? She's picking out flowers over at the park!"

Without any hesitation, I nodded and Ino-chan grabbed my hand as we ran to our destination. It was beautiful. There literally were no words to describe this place, it was a floral paradise. There was greenery all around. Flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes surrounded us. We found Yamanaka-san over by a cherry blossom tree, picking up cherry blossoms that had fallen on the ground.

"Kaa-san!" Ino waved to her mother.

She turned and smiled, "Hello Ino-chan, Sakura-chan!"

"Ohayo Yamanaka-san…" I greeted shyly.

Yamanaka-san wrapped me up into a tight hug.

"Are those cherry blossoms?" I questioned.

She nodded and placed one in my pink hair.

"Now you look like a complete cherry blossom, Saku-chan!" Yamanaka-san said, causing Ino to giggle.

It always felt weird to have pink hair, not something you see everyday. Grandmother Chiyo made me feel like I wasn't normal because of the way I looked. Yamanaka-san always assured me that I was one of the most beautiful girls she's ever seen and that my mother would have agreed wholeheartedly if she were still here. Ino's mom and my mom have been the best of friends since middle school, and they grew closer and closer over the years. That's why Yamanaka-san feels like a mother to me. It's not the same though, because every time I walk around the village, mothers and their young daughters hold hands and talk and laugh because they're having so much fun together. It makes me sad whenever I see it.

Yamanaka-san taught me that every flower has a meaning. She said there was a reason for why my mother named me Sakura, besides my pink hair. Cherry blossoms symbolize the transience of life. This ties in with the idea that all life is suffering and transitory. It is very noble to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

"Your mother believed that you would turn out to be an optimistic human being, and that if you god forbid endured any suffering, your strength, both physical and mental, would not allow you to fall into depths of despair. The life of the cherry blossom equates with the life cycle of human beings. Life is too short, and that's why we as humans view it as the most beautiful thing in the world compared to immortal beings such as the Gods."

Although I was only ten, I could understand exactly what she meant. It seems that Yamanaka-san planned a picnic for the three of us, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was genuinely happy, and I could sense the amount of love and care around us. I felt as if I were a part of their family. It's true when they say time passes by so fast when you're having fun. It was getting close to sunset.

"Oh would you look at the time. Ladies, I think it's time that we get home. How about we walk you home Sakura?" Yamanaka-san offered.

I nodded, "No thank you Yamanaka-san. I actually had to pick up a few things for oba-san, so I need to do that and get home quick. I'm usually not out this late so she must be worried sick about me."

Ino-chan and her mother embraced me in a heartwarming hug. We walked our separate ways while waving good-bye to each other. While on my way to the marketplace, I noticed the multi-colored sky. Konoha was one of the most beautiful places on earth when the sun was about to set. After buying the items with the money grandmother gave me, I decided to sit on a bench enjoying the sunset a little longer.

It wasn't long until I noticed a young boy walking by himself. He possessed the most beautiful dark eyes I've ever seen, like I could almost drown into them. His hair, although styled into a weird duck-butt shape, suited him very well. This was the most beautiful image I've ever seen. The bright light from the sunset highlighted his features well, making him all the more attractive. He was definitely young, but he looked a bit older than me. Before I could continue admiring this boy from afar, loud screams could be heard in the distance. I watched him turn his head sharply and run in the other direction.

There were more than twenty girls from the looks of it. They screamed, "WE LOVE YOU UCHIHA SASUKE!"

Uchiha Sasuke, a thirteen year old boy, was one of the most handsome human beings I've ever laid eyes on. Many of these girls were around his age; there was no way he'd bother giving a ten year old girl the time of day. All I could do was smile until someone yanked my ear and pulled me to the trees behind the bench.

"So this is how you've been spending your free time? Following some boy?"

Grandmother Chiyo gave me no opportunity to respond. She continued to grip onto my ear, which hurt a lot, while dragging me home. Oba-san pushed me as I crashed against the wall.

"You disobey me! How dare you, you filthy wretch! This stupid boy is the reason for why you've neglected your duties to this household, and more importantly, to me! "

She slapped my face.

"I don't need to explain this to you again, Sakura. You know what happened to your parents, the night of their anniversary. You were just a baby then. It had to slip through your mother's mouth. She killed my son with those three accursed words. I had hoped that this arranged marriage would only hope to produce a child, and nothing else. As time passed, they fell for each other. I was afraid of this…she knew very well that expressing love was forbidden...but the selfish woman couldn't help herself. She said it and killed my son, damn it!"

It was hard; I was a young kid after all. Was it my fault to fall for someone even though there was this dreaded curse controlling my family?

Oba-san continued her lecture, "I am going to say this once more, and you better remember this clearly forever. Never fall in love Haruno Sakura, because love is pain. Stay away from men. You will live forever in despair and agony. Love will only bring you hardship. Whatever feelings you have for this boy, you let them go. You will now continue your schooling at home with a private tutor. You will not have contact with the outside world. If by chance you do, I will accompany you. Your duty now, and forever, will be to serve me…the last elder of the Haruno clan. Do you understand all of this?"

I could only nod. This was a lot to take in for my ten-year old self. How could anyone live a life without love? That's impossible. Replaying Oba-san's spiel made me remember that it is important for me to follow what she says, for my benefit.

The next morning, grandmother Chiyo required me to go into the village and fetch more household supplies. She would have gone with me, but she said she had to speak with the village elders regarding something important. After buying the supplies, I carried the big brown bag all the way back home. That was until something hit my shoulder, causing me to drop the bag.

"Ouch!" I thought to myself.

There were a large group of girls following Sasuke. He looked irritated with them as they shouted the words, "I LOVE YOU!"

"Oh…how easily they can say it, but I can't. I wouldn't ever get to say it, because of this stupid curse!" I thought bitterly.

And for the next few years, even now as my nineteen-year old self, I remained alone and heartbroken.

"I'll never get to say it…

Never get to say…

How much…

I Love you…

…Uchiha Sasuke…"

Author's Note: Well that was the first chappie of this new story! Hope you all liked it! I would appreciate reviews, please! To all my future readers and reviewers: You all rock! Definitely let me know what you really thought of this first chapter. Is there anything you'd like more of? Or you want me to improve? Well this is only the first chapter; there will be plenty more, I promise! I will probably update next weekend. Or maybe tomorrow if I get the chance. I have start studying for those AP's.

Tootles!

~Sweetness