Disclaimer(Do we really have to do this every time?): Don't own Naruto.

Sakura stood in front of the only gates that led out of Konoha.

It was raining, and she looked up at the gates in anticipation. What would happen when she was beyond the gates of Konoha?

"Don't leave."

Sakura couldn't help it. She laughed.

Stepping out of the shadows, Sasuke raised an eyebrow, as if to say 'What's so funny?', the unsaid question hanging in the air.

Understanding perfectly, Sakura's laugh receded into a smile, her eyes shining with amusement.

"It's just that I find it ironic that just seven years ago we were in this very situation, only in each others' shoes."

Sasuke just stared from expressionless eyes, betraying nothing of the immense guilt and pain he felt of what had transpired on that fateful night.

"Besides, why would you, of all people tell me that? Weren't you the one who left Konoha in the first place?"

"That doesn't matter."

Sakura stared at the full moon hanging in the sky. She let out a breath, her eyes softening, unbidden tears welling up.

"You know I cannot stay."

"…" Why not?

"The pain is too much for me to bear, Sasuke. Watching you and Karin live happily ever after is definitely not on my list of agendas," Sakura smiled sadly, the pain showing in her eyes.

Sasuke felt a pang in his heart but ignored it.

"Besides, I'll be back. Two weeks from now—just in time to see you get engaged," Sakura continued, still looking up at the moon. "Then I'll be gone from your life—forever. It'll be like I never existed."

Sakura felt two strong arms wrap around her, pulling her into his embrace, and her tears just welled over and started trickling down her cheeks.

"Why are you being so good to me?" Sakura sobbed, burying her head in his chest. "Right now, too!"

Sasuke was at a loss. He didn't know what to do, so he just hugged her closer to him. The smell of strawberries floated into his senses, and he unconsciously buried his nose in her hair.

Slowly, Sakura's sobs receded into nothingness, and she breathed in and out deeply.

"You don't love me, so let go."

What? Sasuke felt a never felt before sense of panic as she pushed him away and turned away, her eyes hidden by her bangs.

"You'll be happy with Karin." What? He would never be happy with that stuck-up bitch. Only she was meant for him.

"You'll have many children, and they'll all be prodigies, just like their father."*HACK* *HACK*

"But what am I saying? Of course. I'm just rambling, don't mind me!" Sakura laughed hysterically.

TELL HER, YOU STUPID IDIOT! YOU'RE LOSING HER! Sasuke cursed himself for his inability to express his feelings.

"You should've at least said something to us."What the hell? What just came out of his mouth?

Sakura snorted in an ungainly manner. " I highly doubt they would've cared."

"….." Sasuke knew she was right, and didn't say anything. I would've cared.

"Which by the way, why were you around here in the first place?"

"…I was taking a walk?"

Sakura gave him a do-you-think-I'm-stupid-or-something look.

"I just had a sort of feeling."

Sakura just shook her head, smiling.

"Why do you care, anyway?"

"Because—"

"No. I don't want to hear it. It'll most probably just break my heart more anyway."Sakura interrupted, her eyes full of sadness.

Sasuke felt pain, guilt and a whole myriad of other emotions.

"Sakura…"

"This conversation never happened."

"Goodbye, Sasuke." Sakura disappeared.

Reappearing behind him, she whispered a thank you as she knocked him out, laying him down on the very same bench he had left her on so many years ago.

Then she walked out the gates of Konoha.

Sad, right? *sniff*

Although it was a bit short, but I wanted to make it short, sad and sweet all at the same time because sweet times are short and sad times are short too 'cause I didn't want to cause so much pain for Sakura.