Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto or any of the manga series' characters.

Summary: Takes place a few years in the future. Sakura is contemplating her life and friends. She is shocked to discover that Sasuke is pursuing Ino. Sakura falls into a deep depression and turns to controversial ways of dealing with it.

Authors Notes: not much to say I guess, on with chapter 4!

She couldn't breathe. She couldn't move. Her heart was pounding so intensely that she felt like her ribs were about to break at any moment. The painful sting of hot, fresh tears began to build up in her eyes. [get up, Get Up…MOVE!] Her mind screamed but her body refused to respond. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably now, and she choked back a sob.

Ino peered down at the girl who looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown and smiled bitterly. How she longed for the day when she could finally show her rival who was truly superior. "What's wrong forehead girl?" Ino scoffed as she flipped her hair with her right hand "Can't handle the fact that Sasuke's mine?" A single tear rolled down Sakura's soft cheek, her eye's averted Sasuke's. "Can't handle the fact that I'm better than you?" Ino continued her rant, her blue orbs narrowed in anger "you would have been nothing without me, just remem-"

"Ino that's ENOUGH!" Sasuke shouted, as he put his chopsticks down and stood up. His own ebony eyes were narrowed and full of anger. "You have no right to be saying such bullshit to Sakura, on her birthday No less!" he scolded. Ino had flinched when she heard how sharp and serious Sasuke's voice had become. Appalled, she turned around with her arms crossed against her chest "I can't believe you're sticking up for the likes of her" Ino sneered the poison coated words.

Naruto had stayed silent and watched the scene unfold in front of him. He couldn't believe Sasuke had actually stood up for Sakura. A hush came over the four of them and the silence was deafening. Naruto felt terrible for Sakura right now. His blue eyes met the frightened jade ones, rimmed with fresh tears. Naruto's eyes softened in pity and he offered a weak smile as if he was saying "everything's gonna be ok". The fox boy brought his hand up to the nervous girls' shoulder and gave her a squeeze of comfort. That is when Sakura snapped back into reality. That encouraging squeeze was the strength she needed to get up and run. [MOVE!...run and don't stop] Sakura fled, spilling her ramen and leaving her jacket behind in the process. "Sakura…" whispered Sasuke under his breath.

The tears were flowing freely down her pale skin now. She didn't choke back the wracking sobs that made her body convulse as she ran. The muscles in her legs burned but she didn't care, she just kept running. Running away from her problems, from her life, and from Sasuke. Once Sakura had reached the red bridge, she collapsed on her knees, sobbing violently. "why…why me" she bawled almost incoherently. Her palms hit the solid wood with anger as Sakura bowed her head, another loud cry emanated from within her.

Meanwhile, back at the Ramen shop, Naruto had stared at Ino in disbelief. "What?" she yelled "get that stupid look off your face Naruto! Just because I've finally proven to her..." her sentence drifted off when she became aware of the irritated gaze that Sasuke was shooting directly at her. His fists were clenched, he exhaled a long, slow, almost labored breath as he lowered his head, his raven bangs shielding his furious eyes. Naruto shut his eyes [I hope Sasuke doesn't kick my ass for this]. He walked right up to Ino, his cerulean eyes never straying from hers and spat out " I hope your happy, Ino-PIG!" With that, Naruto picked up Sakura's denim jacket and left the Ramen shop, leaving the fuming couple alone.

Ino let out an exasperated groan and turned to face Sasuke. He looked like he was in no mood to speak to her but she had to be persistent, she didn't spend years trying to just get his attention for nothing and there was no way she was willing to lose it all. Her eyes softened as she spoke to the boy of her dreams "Sasuke-kun?" she asked as she leaned over to him. Sasuke immediately backed away and responded somewhat harshly "DON'T!...don't say anything right now, just leave me alone." His cold attitude towards her stunned the tall blonde.

When her vicious cries slowly subsided, Sakura pulled herself together and picked herself up from the ground. Her black skirt was dirty and wrinkled, her cheeks still stained from wet tears "I'm so pathetic" she said out loud. With the back of her hand, she wiped her face and sniffled. Deciding it was best that nobody saw her; she hurriedly walked home hoping that nobody noticed her weeping on the bridge. A quiet click was heard as Sakura unlocked the door to her quaint little home. She kicked off her sandals and dropped her keys lazily on a nearby table. She walked into her bedroom, peeling off her black, mesh shirt, skirt, then shorts as she opted for her more comfortable pink sweatpants and white tank top. Flopping on her bed with a groan she peered over at the mahogany nightstand, and without a second thought she reached over and opened it.

AN: well that's chapter 4. Ahhh, it's so short…damnit! My brain is totally shot to shit after this weekend…Party hard and work hard that's my motto!...course that usually means I'm horribly sketchy and sleep deprived but it's a living. Sorry it took forever to update, I was so busy this week. Hopefully I'll have some more free time so I can continue writing. I think I'll keep sasuke and ino together for a little bit longer… but true love will prevail in the end! Mwuahahah sasu/saku :)