Disclaimer: I don't own it. Belongs to our wonderful Masashi Kishimato-sensei! Yes, thanks to him. Not me. Only own this plot.

Eternal Light

Chapter Four: St. Valentine

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The mission was tough. A-Rank. Team Seven and Team Gai fought fiercely against the enemies. Rock Lee was injured badly; he was escorted to the Konoha hospital. The Stone-nins were strong. Strong enough to knock Neji the prodigy over with a single fist, but they didn't give up. A-Rank missions were strong, Sakura had realized. She didn't think much about A-Rank mission before, A-Rank missions reminded her of Sasuke. At that time, he was fighting Gaara. She fell unconscious after Gaara slammed her against the tree; she was weak. When she woke up, she was back in Konoha. Sasuke had carried her home. After a few weeks, Sasuke had decided to go with Orochimaru. She tried to stop him, but he didn't listen to him. Now she regrets why she had bothered with him in all those years?

Sakura shook her head slightly as the water rinsed over her body. She sighed deeply, and stared her wounds on her arms. She had one huge scar across her chest from the last year mission. It took her two months to recover. She winced as the hot water touched the wound. Sakura blinked when the phone rang in her room. Despising the soup was not washed from her body, she grabbed a tower and wrapped carelessly around her body. Opening the bathroom door, she rushed to her room. She was hoping to hear her teacher's voice on the phone for another mission. To her disappointment, it wasn't.

"Sakura! It's me!" A cheerful voice piped on the phone. Sakura blinked.

"Ino?"

"Guess what day is it today?"

"Er…" Sakura's mind went blank. "Um, Shikamaru's birthday?" Knowing they were going out.

"No…" Her voice fell. Sakura raised an eyebrow. "It's Valentine's Day." She said in an in-a-matter-of-fact tone. That caused Sakura to laugh. "Valentine's Day?"

"You know we have parties on Valentine's Day, Big forehead."

"Oh yeah… that's true." Sakura said, she could feel her heart being stabbed. She didn't know why. Her mouth went dry.

"Come to my house tonight! Seven o'clock sharp!" Sakura glanced at the clock. Two more hours left.

"Remember to wear a kimono!"

"Ino, who's going?" Sakura asked, but she had hang up. She sighed. I don't have a kimono. She thought silently. Knowing she was going to be late. She ran to her mother's closet, hoping to find a suitable kimono to wear.

Sakura had remembered their last Valentine's parties at Ino's house. It was fun and it was Ino's rule that they had to wear kimonos at Valentine's Day. At that time, Sasuke went as well, three years ago. He came of course, dragged by her, looking annoyed and impatient. She never understood his feelings. He didn't do anything at the party either, just sat there looking out of the window. Sakura, of course was disappointed.

She cried out as she slipped on a plastic bag. She didn't like kimonos. She preferred casual clothing; she hadn't touched a kimono since she was six. Sakura stared at herself in the mirror. With a thrum of anticipation and anxiety at seeing her friends, Sakura took extra pains with her appearance. She blow-dried her hair and was tied into a bun, with some loose strands falling on her face. She had put on slightest bit of eyeliner and mascara. She knew that even a little make up set off her emerald coloured eyes dramatically, which was why she almost never wore it. Her mother's red butterfly kimono fitted her perfectly, wrapping around her body.

She walked to Ino's house, which was not far from her house. She smiled to herself when she saw her blonde friend waiting for her impatiently at the door. She looked pretty with blue kimono on. Sakura decided. She yelled when she saw Sakura. "Good evening." Sakura said politely.

"Sakura! You are late!" Ino said, crossing her arms. Sakura shrugged. "Sorry." Ino sighed. "Never mind that. Everyone's waiting for you." She grabbed the medic-nin's hand and pulled her inside the house.

"Your mother?"

"She's out. So we're safe." Ino replied casually. She glanced back and grinned. "Looking not bad with your kimono on."

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Lee gave a small present, nicely wrapped. He smiled at her, "This is for you, Sakura-san! Please open it!" Sakura hesitated before she unwrapped the present. Her green eyes widened. "This…" He grinned. "Like it?"

"I can't take it." Sakura said.

It was a Black Crystal necklace. The most fashionable jewellery in Konoha at the moment, almost every girl in Konoha wants one. Ino squealed beside her, tugging Shikamaru's sleeve. He frowned and turned his head. Lee's face fell. "Why not, Sakura-san? It's a present."

"I-It's way too expensive." Sakura said, shaking her head. "I simply can't take this."

Lee sighed. "Sakura-san. Please take it. Thinking back, all the things you did for me, it is worth a Crystal." Sakura was speechless, staring at the necklace. Somehow it didn't feel right. "I-" She began.

"Please take it Sakura-san. This is my last wish from you." Lee insisted, staring at Sakura's eyes. She gave up, she knew how much she denies it, and he won't give up. "T-Thank you…" She said softly. "I'll treasure it always." Lee smiled. "Thank you!" He jumped off the seat, leaving Sakura sitting alone. She sighed and looked up on the sky. I wonder what Sasuke is doing… He hadn't visited her in five days now; he did say he would visit her everyday. Sakura didn't understand her feelings anymore. She didn't know if she loves him or hates him. She waited for him to come back, saying he regretted everything and he wanted to start again from the beginning.

Three years passed.

Nothing happened, he didn't come back. She wished her feelings would grow cold. Sakura changed since he left the village. She didn't smile that often. She didn't go out anymore except her missions. Her friends were worried about her. But she said it doesn't matter. She was eight when she met him; that was seven years ago. He was in her class when she first entered the Ninja Academy. It was spring back then, cherry blossoms flying everywhere. He was leaning against the tree, arms folded. She thought he was beautiful. Through all the years, she tried her best to impress him, be nice to him. She found out he prefer girls with longer hair. (Note: I have no idea, it was in the anime) She began to grow hair from now on. Nearly all the girls in Ninja Academy did. He was strong and smart. Everyone liked him, even the teachers. Sasuke basically ignored her, but she followed him like a puppy. Why did she try so hard? She had wondered. Just now she realized, she missed him… Missed him about everything. Her eyes filled with tears, she wanted him back. To do that, she will have to heal Orochimaru's hands. She didn't want that. Konoha was her home.

"What should I do?" She asked herself. What's the meaning of life? She wondered. Sakura leaned against the door and closed her eyes, feeling the summer breeze blow pass her face. She wanted to go back to the past; the future is just too painful for her.

A hand was placed on her thin shoulder. Sakura spun around, and saw Naruto. He sat down beside her. "Sakura-chan… Don't accept it." Sakura blinked, her head dropped, and stared at her reflection from the teacup that she was holding with her fingers. "I… I won't Naruto." She said softly. Her reflection stared back at her blankly. Naruto opened his mouth. "Sakura-chan… Sasuke…" His voice trailed off. Sakura bit her bottom lip. "I… I do want him back." She admitted, it was the first time she admitted the truth. Naruto blinked, his sapphire eyes widened with shock. "B-But I thought-"

"I just want him back. Just a thought, but I do not want to heal Orchimaru's hands."

Naruto sighed with relieve. "What will you do?" He asked her. Sakura clutched her hand. "I-I don't know… It's too sudden. Seeing him like this. I don't want to see him like this, with Orochimaru and all. Too painful." Naruto dropped his head a little, listening to his friend talk. Sakura laughed bitterly. "Ne, what should I do?"

"If you do what Orochimaru says, do you honestly believe he'll return Sasuke to us?" Naruto said. "Sakura-chan. Face the truth, he gets what he wants. He will never give us what we want." Sakura looked down. Can sins be forgiven? She doesn't know.

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He landed casually, jumping off the windowsill. The moonlight silver rays peeked through the window and shone on her. Sasuke glanced at her. Too bad, she was asleep. She didn't bother to change at all; she had lay on her bed with her kimono on. Sasuke blinked in surprise, it was the second time he saw her with a kimono. Noticing she wasn't going to wake up. He wondered around in her room. It was tidy and clean; he noticed the picture by her bed. Sasuke held it up and saw the young faces of him and his old friends. He sighed heavily. She still keeps that picture…

She stirred slightly and flipped over, turning her back to him. He took no notice and placed the picture down. A small journal was placed neatly on her desk. He held it up, and turned the first page.

1st September

First day of school! I'm starting Ninja Academy. It was my mother's idea to become a ninja. They were, obviously not ninjas. My teacher is called Iruka. A scar across his nose; looks a bit weird. Everyone gave me weird looks because I have pink hair. So what? Hinata has blue hair.

A boy called Naruto came up to me and said wanted to be friends. I practically ignored him. Nobody talks to him at class. I wonder why. Oh yes, I met Uchiha Sasuke. He's beautiful. He has dark blue hair with dark eyes.

Sasuke blinked when he saw his name was mentioned. He flipped more pages.

7th February

Annoying. Went on a mission with Naruto and saw Orochimaru and Sasuke. Yes, Orochimaru, the freak Sannin who killed Sandaime a few years ago, it wasn't pleasant. We saw Uchiha Sasuke as well. Guess what? I don't care. I don't care anymore. I always try to hard, and in the end, I get nothing. Orochimaru told me if I could heal his hands, he would return Sasuke to me. Me? Does he think I care? No.

The worst thing is, I cried. First time two years. I don't cry anymore. I don't know why. I really hate people seeing me cry. So annoying. Of course, I got angry and tried to attack Orochimaru. I was foolish. I couldn't beat him. He dodged it easily. Oh yeah, he told me that I reminded him of Shishou when she was young. How nice.

Naruto was worried that I will take the deal. I told him calmly that I would not betray Konoha. Never. Full stop.

14th February

Oh god. I realized I want him back. Sadly. All these years, I realized it now. I hoped my feelings would grow cold. Sasuke doesn't know Orochimaru was just using him. I do not want to think about it. What should I do? I don't want Sasuke to die and I don't want Orochimaru to heal his filthy hands…

Lee gave me a black crystal necklace… that's very nice of him.

Sasuke decided not to read anymore. He dropped the journal, and spun around. Sakura clenched her fist. "You've read it…"

"Sakura…"

She walked to him, and slapped him across the face. "Get out. What were you doing! Reading someone else's personal journal?" Sasuke turned his back to her. She grabbed his arm. "Sasuke…"

"You don't call me Sasuke-kun anymore Sakura." Sasuke said. Sakura looked away. "No. I don't anymore."

"You're wearing a kimono today." He stated. Sakura bit her lip. "Yes I know." She realized it was the second time he had seen her in a kimono. She wanted hide herself. "St. Valentine." She said, before she could stop herself, a hand flew over her mouth. "Party." She blushed; she wanted to kick herself for that. He glanced back and smirked. "Valentine." Sakura released him, turning her back on him. "It was nothing…" She mumbled, and released her hair. Long, straight pink hair pooled over her shoulders and down to her back. "I don't like kimonos anyway."

"I haven't seen you wearing one since you were twelve."

Sakura shrugged and sat on her bed, staring out of the window. "Why are you here?"

"I told you didn't I?"

Sakura bit her lip. Seeing him made her more painful.

"You've changed Sakura." Sasuke said, frowning. Sakura's eyes met his. "It happens. Now please, can you go? I won't have any privacy from now on…" Sasuke smirked, and walked over to her. He touched her cheek with his hand. Sakura seemed to be stopped breathing. He leaned down. She could feel his breath on her. He briefly kissed her on the cheek. "Good night." With a final smirk, he disappeared. Sakura clutched her hand. That wasn't funny…

To be continued…

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Authoress's Note: There you go! This is chapter four! Hope you like it. Thank you for the reviews in the previous chapter! I appreciated them. XD Please do review this time! See you all in the next chapter. XD Ciao!

PS: MapleStory is destroying me… T.T