Sakura gazed unblinkingly at the weak light that was emanating from the lone candle in the silent, dark room. At times, its gentle light grew brighter, but she could not help but notice that its light was gradually weakening. Soon, it diminished to the point that it was nothing more but a tiny speck of light.
Yet, Sakura's gaze never wavered once.
She continued to stare at the candle with her eyes searching hungrily for the soft light that radiated throughout the cold room.
The candle's light continued to flicker, before it was completely snuffed out.
Sakura sat silently on her chair. So this is the ultimate fate of the candles, she pondered. Its light had disappeared without a trace, like an echo fading gradually away, or a fallen leaf decomposing on the wet, muddy ground.
Would this be the ultimate fate of her hopes, too? Would her hopes be dashed, like the cliff giving in to the merciless, unrelenting waves?
Sakura realized that she did not have an answer to this. Sometimes, all one could do was to do one's best and hope that a miracle would occur, turning one's dreams into reality.
Yet, for the umpteenth time, Sakura questioned, had she done her best? Her very personal best?
She could vividly recall the night when he left.
She had entreated him, beseeched him, begged him, yet her words had no effect whatsoever. He left, all the same, with nothing but a "thank-you".
After he had left, there was a void within her that nobody could fill. No, not even the golden rays of the Sun that illuminated the Earth, nor the soothing, comforting voices of her friends.
When he left, he had taken away a part of her. It was as if though he had forcibly ripped out a part of her soul, leaving her desolate, forlorn and helpless.
When he left, he took away all the light, joy and bliss in her life. He had created a vortex which sucked away all her sentiments unfeelingly.
When he left, Sakura lost herself.
Her perfect, felicitous life had been shattered heartlessly. All she could do was stare hopelessly at the thousands of pieces, each of them a treasured memory of hers, that lay scattered on the floor.
Just then, an earsplitting bang knocked her out of her reverie.
"S…Sakura-chan!"
Naruto was practically breathless. Yet, the goofy, cocky grin was unmistakably there.
Despite the gloom that eclipsed her, Sakura had difficulty suppressing a grin. Well, what could she expect? Naruto is Naruto, after all the tumultuous events that had occurred.
Some things would remain just as they are.
"Yes?" she said.
"Good news. I thought you might want to know this. I think that they have managed to pinpoint Sasuke's location."
Sakura nearly fell out of her chair.
Yap, so that's all I have for my first chapter! I know that it's not a great attempt, but I'm still new, so hopefully my writing would improve as time goes by. This chapter is relatively short, but I've decided to keep my chapters short, so it will be easier for me to upload new ones! Please read and review! Your reviews mean a lot to me!
