Chapter 6

As Sakura ran towards her unforgotten love, she had a sudden flashback to her genin days with Naruto, Kakashi, and Sasuke. Those days had been filled with so much adventure and happiness. Even through the hard times, the team had pulled through because they had each other. What could have made everything go wrong?

Looks like Team 7 will never be taking another group photo again…

As the two got closer and closer, Sakura knew. Although Sasuke had never thought anything of her, she still loved him, even more now than before, and would probably still love him for as long as she lived. And the thought of that alone was unbearable. One day, she wouldn't be able to take it…

Naruto, Kakashi-sensei… she thought. I'm sorry… but as expected, I can't do this…

A fraction of a second before the two clashed, Sakura dropped her sword and closed her eyes, preparing for Sasuke's blade to pierce her heart as she fell into his direction.

Sasuke's sharingan caught her movement, and his eyes widened at the sight. But it was too late, even for Sasuke's speed, and the most he could do was slightly change the direction of his blade, causing it to pierce her center instead of her heart. Sasuke stared in shock at the sight of his arm that had gone through Sakura's body. She was literally hanging in the air, his arm keeping her up.

"Why?" whispered Sasuke, as Sakura grunted in pain and blood trickled. He tried to take his arm out of her body, but before he could fully remove his arm Sakura gripped his wrist with both hands.

"You… know why," she replied half heartedly, causing Sasuke to feel another pang in his heart.

"Heal yourself! Now!" he yelled without thinking, and tried to remove his hand once again, but Sakura held on with her iron grip, shaking her head. "I can't, I spent too much chakra healing the others,"

Sasuke took in a deep breath, and stared directly into Sakura's eyes. "Why… didn't you fight back?"

Sakura looked at him questioningly. "Why ask? Aren't you happy you're about to get the Mangekyo? You said you were going to kill me, so what's the point?"

Sasuke stayed silent upon her questions. He didn't have an answer.

"Yeah, you made it a lot easier…" he trailed off, trying to keep a cool demeanor. Why did his heart hurt so much suddenly? He wanted this… right…? He was finally getting closer to killing his brother, and yet… why did he feel so much anguish?

Channaro, cruel to the end… thought Sakura as she studied Sasuke one last time. In the end, he truly never cared about me…

"Congratulations on getting the Mangekyo." Sakura sarcastically said, bringing Sasuke back from his thoughts.

Sasuke looked blankly at her. "…Aa…" he replied.

"However, Sasuke, remember this," said Sakura as Sasuke looked back into her eyes.

"I understand you want the Mangekyo, but think for yourself- what greater things have you lost to achieve your ambition?" she asked, and again, Sasuke had no answer. For a second, Sakura swore she saw a wave of pain flash over his eyes. No, it was probably her imagination.

Was it due to her pent-up anger from the last few years? Or the fact that this would be the last time she would see Sasuke? Sakura gathered up her last bit of strength.

"Did we really mean nothing to you? How could you abandon us just like that? I… No, Naruto and I… We never stopped searching for you! We never lost hope… We knew you were trapped in the dark, so we did all we could, and yet… Was that not enough for you…?" cried Sakura. She thought she would shed tears at this point, but to her surprise her eyes were dry.

Sasuke could only look to the ground in shame. Now that he did think about it, he had been happy with them… Sakura and Naruto had reminded him of what having a family was like…

Sakura was done being sentimental at this point though. What was the point anyways? He was never going to come back anyways…

"You may have gotten the Mangekyo," she stated with gritted teeth. "But it is nothing compared to what you have lost." Her grip on Sasuke tightened.

"Every time you use the Mangekyo, remember me at this moment," spat out Sakura. "We may not be related by blood, but I loved you… I would have been more than happy enough to comfort you and became your new family…"

Each word she spoke pierced like a scythe into Sasuke's heart. He felt as if his insides were being torn apart with every sentence that passed through his ears.

"Remember our team that is no longer, and never will, be reunited." She continued. "Remember that Naruto and Kakashi-sensei, and everyone else at the village will no longer be waiting for you, now that I will be dead soon."

Sakura paused. "Although, I still wish that you would return someday… If you told them it was my dying wish, then they just might let you in… I know Naruto would forgive you…"

Sasuke gazed up at Sakura upon hearing her words, and he wanted to respond in some way, but his throat caught and he couldn't.

"I am foolish for still having hope even in this condition," Sakura laughed scornfully. "Even though I can clearly see that you will never listen. You never did anyways…" Her face hardened one last time.

"Finally," she whispered. "Every time you use the Mangekyo, realize that you are truly in the darkness now. Unless you go back yourself, Naruto will probably give up as well when Konoha hears about my death. Gomen Sasuke…" she said sadly. "You are now truly… alone."

"Sakura-" Sasuke blurt out, but he was silenced by the expression on Sakura's face. Her eyes were half-closed, and she was losing consciousness, but what Sasuke saw would forever be imprinted into his mind.

"One last wish… Leave Naruto alone. You have no reason to kill him anymore right? So please… don't kill him, too… He's our precious friend, right Sasuke?"

And with that, Sakura had said enough. She was ready to let go.

"This…" she smiled. "Is my last-" her grip on his arm loosened. "-gift to you."

Sakura's hands finally fell to her sides, her eyes turned cloudy, and her lips stopped forming words. Sasuke stood frozen, looking straight ahead as Sakura slid from his hand and disappeared from his peripheral vision, falling to the ground.

A/n: Sorry for being a day late! I haven't had the will to open my laptop this whole week so I totally forgot about posting. Anyways school finally starts again next week which means I won't have time to continue the new stories I've been typing up… after this story finishes I probably won't have a new story until next break… fml.