Curious glances were shot as a pink blur sped past the streets of Konoha. Sakura who had dashed out of the hospital was still running, away from the hospital, hoping to get as far as possible from Sasuke and Naruto. She stopped and panted slightly, finding herself near the outskirts of Konoha, the bench where Sasuke had left her that fateful night. She walked over to the bench and sat down, burying her face in her hands as memories flooded her mind.

You're annoying and weak. I don't need useless emotions like love.

Sakura could feel tears seeping through her shut eyes so she opened them and let them flow freely as acute pain began to stab at her heart. Sasuke's indifferent expression appeared in her mind and his cold responses rang in her ears.

Sasuke hates me. But, so do I… right?

Sakura gritted her teeth, trying to control her tears. She had made a resolution not to cry over trivial matters and to control her emotions. She decided she wanted to be a true ninja, a true medi-nin which was why she stepped up on her training with Tsunade Shisou. Sakura had vowed to become stronger so that she could, one day, protect her comrades who shielded her. Sakura wanted to become a ninja that people looked up to, that her friends and comrades could count on and trust. Right now, Sakura was far from a ninja of that standard.

I can't love you. Why'd you have to come back?

Sakura had admitted that she did love Sasuke deeply. She had really, truly wanted to bring him back after he defected to Orochimaru. But things changed gradually, her negative feelings for Sasuke grew and before she knew it, she hated Sasuke. Sakura had given up on Sasuke but held on, for some reason she knew was Naruto. She didn't want to disappoint Naruto even though she herself was unsure how she would disappoint him. Maybe, she didn't want Naruto, he who admired her immensely, that she could be so 'mean' and cold hearted to give up on Sasuke, the team mate they both wished they never lost. Sakura didn't want to hurt Naruto, the Naruto who always managed to bring a smile on her face. She didn't want to let Naruto know that Sasuke, who was so important to him, was now nothing more than a lost comrade to Sakura. But yet, somehow, she would feel a small sharp tinge of pain whenever she glanced at the Team 7 portrait beside her table. Sometimes, Sakura wondered if she really gave up on Sasuke or maybe, she was just deceiving herself. After all, it was Sasuke who said that emotions and bonds tied one down and made them weaker. Sakura did want to become stronger and to do that, she had to let go of Sasuke who was her emotional baggage.

I don't love you Sasuke.

Her tears had ceased and Sakura leant back and looked up at the skies and the clouds, suddenly remembering the short period of time she spent with Shikamaru who had lost Asuma sensei at that time. Her thoughts shifted to Ino, former rival of Sasuke's affections, and remembered how Ino had lost it when Asuma sensei passed away.

How does it feel to lose someone you love?

She shut her eyes, Naruto's sad expression plaguing her thoughts. She decided, she would apologize to Naruto for her rudeness. After all, he had almost died bringing Sasuke back, not that she wanted though. Naruto was way too important to fall out with over someone like Sasuke. Naruto, was after all, her only true companion and loved one after her family. Sakura sighed, mentally berating herself on her outburst and stood up, her back facing the bench.

Sakura, thank you.

Short chapter though but a song inspired this.