Hey, I just want to start off by thanking everyone who reviewed the first chapter! You guys are awesome! Anyways, here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any affiliated characters or ideas.

Chapter 1: How To Show My Love

Sakura's POV

It was nice to finally be back in Konoha. I actually hadn't had a chance to come here since the war started. I had constantly been near the frontlines due to my medical skills.

Needless to say, this break was a very welcome change of pace. I was glad that Tsunade-shishou had been able to convince the Raikage to set rotations for shinobi. In standard war conditions, shinobi were expected to stay at the front lines for 2 months and then get 2 weeks to recover and relax at an allied base of their choice.

I was now on my 2-week reprieve and naturally I had chosen to stay at Konoha. Naruto and Kakashi Sensei were assigned to the defense of the village so when they weren't on watch, I actually got to hang out with them.

Ino-pig was scheduled for her break to begin today too so we had decided to catch up with each other at one of the cafes in the village.

As I walked through the streets, I couldn't help but notice how empty it seemed. Normally, the village streets were bustling with people going in all different directions. Today though, it was the exact opposite. It was actually odd to see someone like me walking around. I guess that's what war does I thought bitterly.

Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a loud blonde girl.

"Hey! Billboard-brow! Over here!"

I turn to see Ino sitting at one of the outdoor tables waving to me. I make my way over to her and give her a hug. After all, she was my best friend.

"Ino-pig, I've missed you! How are you?" I ask her genuinely concerned.

"Well normally, I'd say life these days is awful. But it's a lot worse for some other people right now." She says seriously. "How are you doing Sakura?

"Same as you. I'm just happy that you're doing Ok."

"Yeah, thankfully I haven't lost anyone either. I really hope it stays that way. This war is so awful." Ino remarks.

"Well, at least you haven't had to work in the medical corps. Some of the injuries are so gruesome that I can't even sleep."

"I know what you mean." Ino replies. "I'll have a hot chocolate and a club sandwich please." She says to the waiter.

"Same for me please." I say to the waiter.

"You know Kabuto's resurrection jutsu?" Ino asks.

"Yeah, it's horrible. I can't believe that they don't even respect the dead."

"Yeah, I had to face Asuma Sensei."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Yeah, unfortunately I am." She responds.

"How were you able to fight against him?"

"Believe me, it was almost impossible. Although, I think Choji took it the hardest. I had to convince myself, that I was helping him. Even though I was hurting him, it was for the best in the long run."

"What do you mean better in the long run?"

"Sakura, you know that they don't like being brought back to life. It isn't natural. When I was fighting him, I felt like once we beat him we were putting him out of his misery."

"You were helping him break free again?" I ask.

"Exactly. It was so hard to attack him. But I realized that he wanted that. I wasn't really hurting him. I was actually helping him by saving him from the pain of existing in that manner."

"I understand. At least you were able to help him. You three must have made him so proud." I try consoling Ino.

Ino smiled in response before changing to a much lighter topic.

After grabbing lunch with Ino, we had gone to the park and watched all the little kids playing around. Then, we decided to gather some flowers and put them on Asuma's grave.

Now, I was lying in my bed thinking back to what Ino had said. I went through a similar situation rather recently. It was with Sasuke. Sasuke was going down a path of darkness. This path was going to lead to nothing but misery for him.

Unfortunately, he was being too shortsighted to see that. I loved him so much I couldn't stand it. I couldn't bear watching him hurt himself. It hurt me to see him on the path that he was on because I knew he was going to hurt himself. But would it hurt me more to see him dead?

Would I rather see him go down a path on which he was going to hurt himself or would I rather see him avoid it completely by his death? I had decided that I would rather see him dead. And I tried killing him. But I was just too weak. As always, I couldn't do it. I failed. And I needed Naruto to protect me.

I felt tears forming in my eyes. Why couldn't I do it? Why was I so weak? I had decided to kill him but my resolve was just as weak as I am. The question now, was what should I do?

Flashback

"Sakura, let Naruto handle Sasuke." Kakashi-sensei told me.

"What?"

"I appreciate the fact that you tried to handle Sasuke yourself. But, you can't do it. Don't feel bad. I can't do it, Tsunade-sama can't, and no one else can do it. Only Naruto can. The best thing to do would be to just support him now Ok?"

"All right."

End Flashback

I understood that only Naruto could handle Sasuke. I had faith in him to do it too. But where did I fit in? Even Naruto would need help. I had to be there for him. But what was it that I could do? Unfortunately, I fell asleep without an answer.

Yeah I know, another short chapter. At least it was longer than the last one though right? Anyways, definitely leave a review. And I promise that the next chapter will be longer and also it is going to be a lot more interesting. The plot will definitely pick up. I just wanted to start things off by showing where Sasuke starts and where Sakura starts. Anyways, REVIEW! Thanks!