Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto….happy? Jeeezz

A/N: Well, this idea popped in my head last night, (last night as in December 22, 2004, 1:13 AM…) and I just had to write it…It's something new for me...This fic isn't exactly continuous…every chapter is a different scenario, but..they DO follow chronologic order…I'll state her age at the beginning of every chapter or something, just so that everyone understands…

This is basically a fic where I match Sakura with possible guyz in Naruto…I don't do those crazy pairings where it would seem quite awkward…but, here are the pairings, in order of the chapters…:

1) NejiSaku (14 yrs)
2)NaruSaku (Friendship) (15 yrs)
3) Kakasaku (15 yrs)
4) GaaSaku (16 yrs)
5) ItaSaku (18 yrs)
6) SasuSaku (18 yrs)
7) SasuSaku (final) (19 yrs)
8) Epilogue – SasuSaku, of course...

Okay, enough with this crap…let's get on with the story!

Replacement

Chapter one-The Caged

-You're weak-

Those words echoed through Sakura's head over and over again, as if haunting her. The pink haired kunoichi did another push up, sweat dripping down the side of her head.

She lowered herself with her left arm for the 196th time, determined to get to 200. Slowly, she pushed herself back up. Once again, she lowered herself, this time with much difficulty. She couldn't bare the stress in her left arm anymore, and collapsed. She pounded at the dirt, frustrated at herself, not being able to do 200 measly one-handed push-up's.

I can't do ANYTHING! Why! Why must I be forever weak to everyone's eyes! Why…?

She sobbed painfully as she squeezed the dirt in her hands, as if trying to make them finer.

Why is everyone so talented, and moving on with their lives, while I'm left behind…alone, in their dust! Am I that much of a reject!

Rain began to pour from the dark clouds, hovering on top of the Konoha Forest. Those dark, ominous clouds were what drew him to the area.

In his eyes, everyone was failures. Failures who keep striving to become better than each other. Failures…

"WHYY?" a cry reached his ears as if they came from the trees around him. His eyes furrowed as he tried to trace the sounds. It's a girl…

Her tears blended with the rain that came down on her. Her once beautiful pink hair was now dull and colourless.

Did I do something wrong! Why must I be punished! He's right…I am weak…

"No, you're not…" a voice came from above.

She snapped her head up, and tried to see who it was. The pouring rain blurred her sight, paining her eyes as she tried to open them wider. A white light surrounded the person who stood, looking down on her. God? Then all she could see was black.

o-o-o-o-o-o—o-o-o-o-o-o-

Her body ached in pain as she awoke to the sound of birds chirping. Through her eyelids, she could feel the burn of the bright sun. She tried to block the light with her hand but couldn't move it; it had hurt too much. So for a while she just lay there, trying to recall where she could be. Her mind was clogged up and she couldn't think at all. She shifted her arm slowly, as much as she could and tried to rub her temples. All she managed to do was make sounds on some sheets on a mattress. Wait, mattress!

Determined, Sakura opened her eyes slowly, feeling blinded, but a few moments later, adjusted to the light.

Ughh, I feel terrible. Did I drink last night?

"Aa, I see that you're awake" a voice came from her right. She turned her head to see who it was. He was in the shadows, for he was under the window. All she could see was white eyes. White eyes…Who could THAT be? A monster?

"Rest, it'll make you feel better. I left some pain killers on your side table. Take them if you want. I'll be going now" the man said as he strode over to the door.

"Noo…wait…stay…I don't want to be left behind…again…"

"…Okay…" the man sat down on the left side of her bed. This time, Sakura could see him clearly.

"Neji-san?"

He didn't say anything, just reached out to run his hand through Sakura's hair. "You hair used to be vivid and bright. What happened?"

"…I…There was no reason to keep it bright anymore" she said as she looked away.

"…Then what was the reason before?" he asked gently, as he continued to play with her hair.

"…It's not important"

Neji scoffed and replied, "Not important? If he isn't important, then why do you mope around, hoping he'll come back for you? If he's not important, then why were you punishing yourself yesterday? Huh? Answer me, Sakura!"

"I…" tears began to form in her eyes. She didn't want to answer, she wanted to run away, so she wouldn't have to think about it anymore.

"Sakura…There's no use to saunter around depressed. If he's so important to you, why don't you go after him?" Neji had stopped playing with her hair, now looking down at the floor.

"Neji-san, don't stop…I…Just stay with me for a while…"

"Okay…I'll stay…"

o-o-o-o-o-o—o-o-o-o-o-o-

Okay…well…there you go…Not my best work, but I sort of wanted everyone to know that I was still alive…:P I know, It's kind of short...actually, it's really short...but…anywho, I'm working on Come Back Chapter 2, and Medicine…but…Medicine hasn't even been started yet…So….please be patient…if you want to know what's been happening, go to my profile page…At the top, it'll explain...sort of…anywho…see yaz!