Warning: Due to the nature of this story, as described in the summary, Sasuke will be very out of character at the beginning.
There weren't many disasters Sakura Haruno faced in her life. She was always punctual, so she never found herself rushing to get anywhere, she was organised and never really forgot anything. It was a trait people most admired about her. However, as one who was so used to having so much control in her life Sakura found it difficult when something came crashing down without warning or a clear reason.
Sakura was even organised in her private life. She never failed to turn up on time for a night out with her friends, as long as she had enough warning that is, and always made time in her life for the people that were important to her, her friends, family and of course her significant other.
She had always made time for the men in her life, she went out with them to restaurants and bars and day trips, she talked to his friends when she met them, and tried her best to fit into his already established lifestyle. Sakura was happy, and from their attitude she believed that he had been as well, he had been kind and attentive when they started seeing each other but like all other men Sakura had dated he became more distant and began to expect certain things of her, some things Sakura never minded as she always had to do things like visit their parents on a certain day of the month or prepare a meal on a specific day each week. It was part of an organised routine that Sakura was content to live by.
But when out of the blue he had decided to end their relationship Sakura's organised life ended and instead of preparing a meal for him for that day he had always he visited that week Sakura found herself slumped of her living room sofa surrounded by friends, alcohol and snack food.
"I just don't understand it" Sakura said reaching out for a handful of crisps "He didn't even say why he wanted to break up with me, just that he felt it was time we went our separate ways, what does that even mean?"
"He's bored of you?" Ino suggested and was glared at by Tenten "Yes I know, he's a self-righteous bastard who never deserved you in the first place Sakura" She said to try and make her friend feel better "but look on the bright side you can find someone better now"
"There is no one better" Sakura muttered "all men are the same"
"Lazy?" Ino asked.
"Confusing" Hinata added and Sakura shook her head for both of them.
"A waste of space" Tenten said and Sakura shook her head again before taking another gulp of her drink.
"They're all lying scum" She said with some difficultly as Ino poured more alcohol into her glass.
"Don't you think you should put lemonade or something in that?" Hinata asked with some concern and Ino shook her head.
"She won't notice if she drinks it straight of not, look at her, this is the one time Sakura loses control and it's fun" She said and Hinata rolled her eyes and poured some lemonade in Sakura's glass regardless of what Ino said. "Spoilsport" Ino muttered.
"What do you mean he's bored of me?" Sakura asked suddenly picking up on the comment Ino had made earlier. Ino shrugged and took a sip of her own drink.
"Maybe he wants a spontaneous girlfriend that will eventually and spontaneously cheat on him with his best friend, which will serve him right anyway" Ino said.
"Or maybe we're all being a little harsh" Hinata said as Sakura scowled slightly at the thought of this.
"Yeah" Ino said "Maybe he was secretly engaged and had a crisis of conscious and doesn't want you to be the other woman anymore"
"You're not exactly helping here" Tenten hissed and Ino gave her a flat look.
"She's drunk" Ino insisted pointing as Sakura who was swaying slightly where she sat "for one thing she probably doesn't comprehend what I'm saying for another thing she needs to get over him and move on anyway, you know she needs to find someone better"
"How?" Sakura asked suddenly laying a hand of Ino's arm suddenly "How can you still use all those big words, com-pre-hend" Sakura repeated slowly she looked from Tenten to Ino to Hinata "Did I say that right?" She asked looking pleased with herself.
"Oh god" Tenten muttered "It's a week day, she has work tomorrow, we need to sober her up"
"She'll be fine" Ino said airily and Tenten looked at her in disbelief.
"Would you like to go into work after drinking all she has?" Tenten asked and Ino gave her a blank look.
"I have done that" She said and Hinata giggled as Tenten glared at Ino.
"I think Sakura is more dedicated to her job than you are Ino though" She said and Ino sighed slightly.
"I know, I know" She said "I'll get her some water" Ino muttered before getting up and going into Sakura's small kitchen. Sakura sighed suddenly and flopped back in her chair looking up at the ceiling.
"This is stupid" She said with some difficulty seemingly having to concentrate a lot on her words "I really liked him and despite all our differences it seemed to be working out until now, if he'd've just been honest and said it didn't seem to be working weeks ago then it would have saved me a lot of trouble" She took the glass of water Ino handed her and stared at it for a bit until she obediently drank some of it when Hinata prompted her.
"Sakura", Tenten said sympathetically "I'm sure in time you'll meet someone amazing, he didn't deserve you that's all" Sakura snorted.
"You're all bound to say that you're my friends" She muttered and drank some more water.
"It's true" Hinata said "I believe that there's someone for everyone you just have to be strong and keep looking Sakura" Sakura gave her a small smile.
"Thanks Hinata" She said softly feeling touched by her words.
"So what are you looking for in your special someone Sakura?" Tenten asked curiously "Maybe we can look out for them for you"
"We can kidnap them and force them to meet you" Ino muttered but Hinata shushed her.
"Hmm" Sakura looked thoughtful "I'd like to be with someone kind, considerate, they'd have to make me laugh, someone who'd understand me and accept me the way I am without wanting me to change and most of all I'd want them to be honest"
"Does he actually do the washing up though?" Ino joked and Sakura laughed slightly.
"I don't think I'll ask for that miracle in a man" She said and Hinata smiled.
"But is he tall, dark and handsome?" Tenten asked and Sakura grinned.
"Of course" She said "I've always wanted to meet a tall, dark, handsome stranger who would somehow sweep me off my feet" They all laughed and Sakura felt herself relaxing ever so slightly as, although it was late, and she'd had far too much to drink considering she had work in the morning, she felt that with her friends company and support she was able to let her feelings for him go and move on. It was like Hinata had said, there was someone for everyone somewhere she'd just have to go and find him.
A strange wind blew round and rattled the windows of Sakura's house it seemed to hesitate as it encircled the building before moving on it blew down and empty alleyway as clusters of shining lights moved as thoughts gathered and focused on one point. As Sakura sat describing her ideal man those ideas took shape until the wind moved and blew on leaving a stranger in its place; he was tall, definitely handsome and had dark hair and eyes fitting the joked description of Sakura's ideal boyfriend.
He stood awkwardly for a few moments as if trying to recollect something as the wind moved on giving the man a name and place in the real world slowly editing reality so the man had been recorded in schools, had memories and achievements like everyone else and the only thing that set him apart was the knowledge that he was created, a connection to the one who did it and no heartbeat because despite everything that had happened wishful thinking could not create a real human.