-This is my first EVER attempt at a Naruto fic... I haven't seen a lot of episodes, I mostly just overhear certain parts from my bros... I'm sorry if it's inaccurate and please bear with me. I figured my first fic of this anime should be Sasuke and Sakura even if there are a lot of haters of this pairing... Don't like the pairing please don't read... For everyone else, hope you enjoy!

Blossoms

Chapter 01:

Broken Blossom Misery

"I've always loved you! You and only you, Sasuke!" She had screamed that night two and a half years ago today. She could recall the salty tears of heartbreak as he admitted appreciation to her but in the end, it hadn't been enough. Even Naruto had attempted to stop his best friend from leaving - from betraying the Hidden Leaf Villiage to train with Orochimaru and it too had ended in failure.

She could still feel the torment behind those lost onyx eyes of his, she knew he was suffering, she knew there was a reason he left her behind. She sat up and slid on her sand-colored traveling bag, adjusting her headband to where it doubled as a hair-ribbon, then exited the private safety of her room. "Sakura honey, shouldn't you be gone by now - you'll be late if you keep dawdling like this!"

Her green eyes fixated into an irritated glare, "I know mother. I have only been doing this for over a year now." She gritted not really feeling up to a heated discussion with her mother. "I'm heading to the Hokage Tower now - I'll be leaving soon after!" She informed as she stepped out of her house. It was ridiculously early, when it came to missions she always enjoyed the feel of the shimmering sun beaming brightly down on her as she stepped out of Konoha.

Feeling no need to rush, she hadn't been instructed that this mission - or the debriefing where she was heading to now - was of any sort of emergence, she calmly walked through the town of the widespread, powerful Villiage. The town was seemingly quiet this morning - though she couldn't blame anyone, it was barely four in the morning and most citizen and ninja-in-training didn't awaken until six'o'clock, it made for a wonderful little walk.

There hadn't been many instances where she could think to herself without interruption, ever since the 'betrayal', Naruto the number-one-knucklehead-ninja, made it his personal mission to keep her as cheery as possible. She couldn't help but smile some at the notion - over the passing two years, she had grown quite close to the wild-natured orange-jumpsuit wearing maniac. He held something so precious and inspiring that she had never noticed before - the ability to rise in adversity and to come out stronger than before. She'd remembered it first in the Chuunin Exams they took so long ago and missed him terribly when he left to 'train' with Jiryaia a few weeks after Sasuke took his leave.

Her eyes shut tightly and her steps halted just as suddenly. "I've always loved you!" The confession of her's brought out so much more pain than she had imagined it would, perhaps because she really believed - foolishly believed - that he would understand how much she cared for him, how devoted she was to him. 'No. He did know. Maybe, he always knew...' Her short pink hair gently swayed in the cool morning breeze, it was kind of chilling when the sun was still sleeping. The image of him walking passed her, trying to ignore her as he embarked on a journey that would set him closer to his personal goal and simultaneously rip her world to shreds. She had threatened him to stay and even begged that she would spend her entire life fullfilling his every need - if he would simply remain with her in the villiage, insisting she wouldn't forgive him if he left. Her right hand went to her chest as she tried not to recall the painful memory.

He hadn't given in and just kept on going. 'If it's really what you want... I'll go with you! Please, I'll leave everything behind Sasuke! I will." She had cried trying hard not to faint from exhaustion. Her body trembled, it was cold back then too. He had insisted otherwise though...

"This isn't the life for you. I am an Avenger, have you forgotten that already? This is something I must do on my own. You would only get in the way."

She stared tears falling as he made no sign of even to face her. Her fists clenched at being rejected a second time - the image of never seeing, talking or being near him again filled her with a void so deep and tragic. Her eyes clenched, stinging with the pouring tears, "Don't you know by now! I love you so much! I've always loved you - you and only you!" She cried not caring how unstable she was.

The silence was harsh and intense and as she opened her eyes at the sudden sensation of motion, she couldn't see him standing in front of her any longer. Her eyes widened softly at the feel of eyes burning into her from behind, she didn't move. "I know. Sakura, thank you. Your affection... Means a lot to me."

She continued her pace, a little faster this time. She'd lost so much time thinking of the past, which wasn't good for being a ninja. Hokage Tsunade always scolded her for being too emotional. As she ascended the steps and entered the Hokage's Room, she noted and bowed slightly to the Elder's sitting alongside the Hokage, before she looked up and faced her personal sensei.

"I can always count on you to be on time." She greeted pulling out a sealed scroll.

"Yes. Lady Hokage. What is my mission?"

Tsunade smirked. The girl always behaves so maturely and politely when in a setting of great importance, though she's absolutely hot-tempered when training. At least she's capable of keeping her manners and wits about her - Naruto should be learning a few lessons himself.' "It's a B-Rank mission that could possibly turn into an A-Rank mission though the possibility isn't too likely. There was a feud between two towns to the East of Konoha, many were injured and they haven't skilled enough medics to heal those on the brink of death."

She straightened up and nodded in understanding. "Yes. I see."

"Hm. Alright Sakura Haruno, it is all up to you. I will be sending a team down there tomorrow but I would like you to get a head start in order to prevent needless casualties."

She blinked with uncertainty. "Alone? You sure that is safe?"

"You'll be fine getting there, the town you will be sent to, Harura, isn't too far from us and from the look of this report, the opposing townspeople have also suffered sufficient loss. Naruto and Sai will be joining you tomorrow to be on the safe side. You are to leave immediately. Sakura Haruno!"

She nodded. "Yes Lady Hokage!"

"You are dismissed!" In a gust of wind and cherry blossoms, the young ninja disappeared.

She headed towards the front gates and frowned. This would be the first time she was sent alone - not that she was scared or anything... "Even traveling with Sai would suffice." She muttered. Teamwork had been complicated with the original squad seven what with the contrasting personalities of Naruto and Sasuke, though despite the temper-tantrums and arguments they were the closest friends Sakura had ever seen and was rightly so jealous of Naruto for it. She'd never have a bond like that with the only person she loved and would quite possibly, ever love.

The squad now, as it stood, was of Naruto, herself and Sai. The boy was pretty strange and had a habit of speaking his mind a little too much without giving much thought to the feelings of others - at least at first that's how it had been. He'd changed considerably since then, all it took was a bit of shouting from Naruto and some much needed scolding from herself. He... was tolerable even if he made the strangest jokes about uhm... certain male body parts. Yes, it was another heartbreak to hear he was replacing Sasuke, it signified that he really was gone... Most likely for good. Even if Naruto still vowed to bring him back.

She tightened the pink wrist sleeves that extended up to her elbow and stared ahead of her. 'Okay Sakura, it's time to get serious. You need to focus now.'