Author's Note: Okay! Well, here is another update. Considering the shit I've been through lately, I don't think I'll have any problem writing about a shattered mind. Please forgive the long wait. It has taken a lot of time to actually get time to write. Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I own the plot!

Chapter 7: Days Go By

Sakura and Sai continued to see each other and Naruto and Ino continued to ignore them. It was beginning to piss her off, but then she thought about how she would feel if it were her. So she let it go and concentrated on more important things. She hated that it had come to this, but it was her turn to be happy. Wasn't it?

How did we get here? I used to know you so well.

How did she get to this point? All this time she had believed that her life was over and that nothing would ever make her truly happy. Then she got close to Sai. Everybody knew that she had been living in her own hell for a long time. Why would they deny her this happiness?

Hadn't she sacrificed enough? Didn't she deserve what she got?

'Why? Why can't I have my one happiness without someone trying to take it away?'

'Maybe you don't deserve it.'

'YES I DO! I have given so much and taken nothing in return until now. I deserve it.'

'Then stop beating yourself up kid.'

Sakura's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She got off her couch and answered it. She wasn't surprised to see Sai. He was common around her house nowadays.

"Hello Sai. Come in."

Sai followed her into the living room. They sat on the couch and just held each other for awhile…until Sakura's stomach protested.

"Hungry, Sakura?"

"A little." she blushed.

"Let's go grab something to eat at the dumpling stand."

"Okay."

They silently walked to the dumpling stand, holding hands. However their nice evening was about to get ruined. As they neared the dumpling stand, Sakura overheard Ino talking to someone.

"…and the little bitch has the nerve to steal the guy I like! Imagine that! First she kills the guy I love and now she takes the guy I like!"

"Sounds…interesting."

"I hate her for this! She takes away everything I want! She doesn't deserve it!" Ino screech.

Listening to Ino talk just made her angrier and angrier. But Ino had said the one thing that made her break. Sakura stormed up to Ino and whipped her around.

"If you want to fucking talk about me, say it to my face you stupid pig! I deserve Sai! I didn't purposefully kill Sasuke! You know that! I lived in my own private hell for a long time! All that time, you were worried about your friend!

You were worried about who would be the next hot guy on your arm! You didn't care that I was dying inside and killing myself! If you want to talk about selfish, look at yourself! You'll never give like I have! You can never be me and you hate that!

I gave everything I had to protect the people I love and you resent me for it! You're a stupid, ignorant little girl!"

Ino was startled by Sakura's vehemence. She looked at Sakura like she had gone crazy. But in that instant she realized that Sakura was right. Ino began to cry and Sakura walked away from her. She walked away from the childish friend of her youth.

Days went by and still Sakura hadn't shown up for a day of practice or to even meet up with Sai. He was getting worried about her. He decided to go check on her. He found her in her bedroom, eyes puffy, and dull.

'Just like before.'

"Sakura?"

"Sai…what are you doing here?"

"I haven't heard from you in days and I was beginning to worry."

"I'm fine. Go away."

Sakura's words cut him to the core and he had to choke back unexpected tears. She wouldn't even look at him. He knew that Ino's words had affected her, but he didn't know they would cause I relapse. He could kill the blond.

"Sakura, I won't leave you. I can't. I love you too much."

"I know Sai…I just don't want you to see me like this."

"I know. I want to be here with you though. Let me stay the night. Let me hold you, Sakura."

"Okay Sai."

He walked over to her and she cried on his should as he held her.

"I didn't know that other people blamed me for his death as well. I should have known that. Was I so disillusioned?"

"No. Nobody actually blames you. Ino was just angry."

"I suppose."

"Sakura, it's okay. Let's get some sleep. We have a mission in two days."

"Okay."

Sakura fell into fitful sleep. The nightmares were beginning to haunt her again, but she couldn't understand them.

Cause everything we've been through, is everything about you. Seemed to be a lie. A guiltless, twisted lie that made me learn to hate you.

'Run little kunoichi. Run from the blood. Don't let them see you spill it. Don't let them know that you died that day too.'

Sakura was running in a field. One she had never seen, but it was covered with blood and bodies of the people she loved.

'Innocence and ignorance, it all goes hand in hand.'

Sakura woke with a scream lodge in her throat. She looked at Sai and the scream escaped. Sai woke and looked at her. She was crying and murmuring something. He listened closely to what she was saying.

"Please don't hurt me…I'm sorry I killed you…Sasuke."

Sai felt his heart being ripped from his chest. Kakashi was right, but so was he. He was going to help her get through this.

"Sakura, it's me. It's Sai. I'm here for you."

Sakura looked at him and the first like of understanding hit her eyes.

"Sai? I'm so sorry…I woke up…and I thought…I thought…"

"I know Sakura, it's okay. We'll get through this together. I promise."

"Sai, I love you."

"I love you too."

Sai could not begin to fathom how much her misunderstanding was tear her apart. How could she think that he was Sasuke? She thought that she had been freed of her hell, instead she had been thrown into a worse one. One where she knew who she was, who she loved, and why…but he was still out of her reach and she would forever rip his heart out if she did not end this soon.

Sakura began to cry and Sai mistook the action. She was crying because of what she knew she had to do…just until she could find her sanity again…if she ever found it.

Author's Note: Well, another update. I hope you guys enjoyed the read. I'm sorry if I misspelled anything. You'll have to forgive me because it's 1:22 in the morning. Please review and tell me what you think. Thank you for reading!