Disclaimer: I don't own it.

I walked along the halls, two people at each of my sides.

I was going to see him again. That bastard.

I couldn't believe he was back.

I've been training for years, trying to retrieve him.

I only stopped going on search missions a little over a year ago.

It wasn't my choice, it was Sakura's request.

She didn't want me to risk and waste my life searching.

She still had faith that the bastard would come back on his own.

For the past 6 years, she has been nothing like the old Sakura I used to love.

I may not exactly know what happened to Sakura and Sasuke,

But I could tell it was bad.

Even when the three of us were still young,

I could see the way they looked at each other.

I know that he adored her as much as she loved him.

They were the perfect couple.

They knew everything about each other.

If only they weren't so dense.

Those two were the smartest students the academy has ever had.

The only thing they were stupid in was when it came to feelings.

I could always see it, but I pretended to be ignorant.

I thought it was just the love of a best friend.

I didn't want Sakura to love him.

I wanted her to love me.

I used to have a crush on Sakura.

But that faded away and turned into brotherly love.

Ever since the damn bastard left to go join that other snake menace,

I was so angry at him.

I couldn't believe he tried to kill me.

But it was nothing compared to what Sakura endured.

I could see how hurt she was when I found her walking down the street.

I couldn't believe he actually left me and Sakura.

Especially Sakura.

I realized that he didn't really love Sakura at all.

If he did, he wouldn't have ever left her.

I could never forgive that bastard.

He made Sakura what she was now,

The shell of what she used to be.

At first I thought that time would heal the wound.

But obviously, it couldn't.

It just got worse and worse.

I know she thinks I'm ignorant of her depression.

I know she has this cheerful façade.

She always like that.

Trying to make everyone else happy,

Even if it tears her up inside.

What a masochist she is, always bearing her own pain.

Never letting anyone else be part of it.

But I don't want to confront her about it.

I don't want to add more salt to the wounds.

That was the only reason I trained so hard to retrieve him.

To make Sakura happy.

Even though he's unforgivable for his sins,

He's the only one who can make her happy.

Truly happy.

Now, I regret that he's back.

I wish he never did come back.

That bastard.

He always makes things miserable.

I'd never forgive him for his betrayal,

But this time, it was much, much worse.

I may have gained one teammate,

But I lost the other.

Tsunade stopped walking.

"Naruto, go get my notebook."

I nodded.

There was no room for idiocy now.

"Where?"

She contemplated.

"Well, I left them at….."

I could see her eyes soften.

"…Sakura's cubicle."

Another remembrance.

I went off, regardless.

I searched the drawers, looking for any sign of a notebook.

Something caught my eye.

It was a piece of light pink stationary paper stuck in the notebook.

It was folded three times, and at the front was….

A cherry blossom.

I gently opened its contents.

My hands were shaking.

The door opened.

Oh good, the bastard is awake.

I want to kill him right now, but I can't.

I don't want to upset Sakura.

I greeted him in monotone.

"Traitor."

"You're back."

You shouldn't have come back.

"Takes one to know one."

I gritted my teeth.

What a bastard.

But I didn't want to make a scene.

"Still as sarcastic as ever Sasuke?"

Kakashi intervened.

He knew what I felt.

"Kakashi."

"You're finally awake Uchiha. Good."

Her tone found nothing good about it.

He greeted her.

"Never thought you'd return."

I wonder…

I wonder if he'd notice the difference.

If he would know what was missing…

Or rather….who…..

"Where's Sakura?"

Bingo.

You struck another chord.

I looked away.

I couldn't bear this sadness and look him in the eye.

"She's……"

Tsunade began to explain.

"Gone."

I finished with as much venom as I can.

"G-gon-gone?" he stammered.

I was surprised.

Maybe he does care, if only a little.

"What do you mean gone?"

His eyes grew hysteric.

I couldn't talk about her now.

I said what was only logical.

"She's at the Cherry Blossom Park."

I knew he'd take off.

Maybe because of the guilt.

Maybe…..

Oh….

He still doesn't know what happened.

"Wait." I ordered.

I handed him a letter.

A pink letter.

"I think this is for you."

And just like that he vanished.

None of us tried to stop him.

There was no use, really.

I had only an idea of where he might be.

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. Yes, this is Naruto's POV. I know he seems OOC and a bit bitter. But he needs to be like that. Any ideas what happened to Sakura?