The kunai, chapter three; Forgotten Tears.

By Gasha Aisu

She had seen a girl cry today. Only three years younger then she was. She had asked why the girl had cried and the girl had seemed frightened. Her cold green eyes had that effect on people, Sakura had ignored the girl's fear and asked again. The girl was just about to answer when a boy, around the same age, suddenly jumped before her. He had spread his arms protectively and asked what Sakura wanted. Sakura had repeated the question and the boy had seemed confused. The boy had asked the girl if it was true and the girl had nodded, tears once again in her eyes. She had suddenly burst out in tears and admitted that she was weak, and that she was crying because she was worried about the boy for she hadn't seem him today. The boy had looked embarrassed and Sakura had walked away, disgusted.

She herself had cried once, a long time ago. She had cried because of Sasuke, because she had been weak. She couldn't remember how it felt to be unable to hold back tears. She had forgotten. Slowly she sipped her coffee, she had a long night ahead of her. She had stopped crying, stopped showing weakness, it had cost her smile, but it was worth it. She was useful now. With a neutral face, Sakura turned to go to the kitchen. She was in her house, alone. She had moved out from her parent's apartment a long time ago, about five months after Sasuke went after Orichimaru. She had an apartment, not too small, not too big. It contained a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and a small gym. Everything Sakura needed. There were almost no picture's, only one of her, Ino and Naruto. The only picture she agreed taking, the only one they dared to ask. It was on a top shelf, above a small fireplace. Her apartment would have been cosy, if there were plants or other personal possessions except that one picture. But weapons don't have those. She wasn't around much anyway, she was mostly away on missions. She smirked. She probably spent more time fighting, bleeding and covered in mud, then here. But still, it was a base. A base, no home. For home is where the heart is, and she didn't think she still had one. At least, she wasn't supposed to have one. Setting down her now empty mug in the kitchen she walked to her living room. Silently she sat down and looked at the open scrolls on the table. Nodding once to herself she opened a book, and then another. Her finger traced over the page and she noticed her nails. They were short, handy to train. Not long and elegant, or coloured like they used to. She shook her head, and returned to her work. That Sakura died.

Three hours later.

Sakura was buried in her books, frowning in concentration. If she just knew how to channel her chacra that way, she could learn a whole new jutsu. Searching for the information, she frowned when a knock was heard. Glancing over at her clock she noticed it was three in the morning. Slowly she got up, and grabbed a kunai from a small closet. Walking to the front door she wondered who it could be, and if a enemy could be so stupid to knock. Knowing it should be someone she knew, she still didn't let go of her kunai. Slowly she opened the door a little to see whom it was outside. Spotting it was a chuunin she knew, she opened it a little wider. Just enough to show her neutral face.

"What?" she simply asked, her voice colder then normal.

The chuunin didn't flinch, he was one who never knew her before Sasuke's leaving. In fact, he was an arrogant jerk who didn't pay attention to anyone but himself, not that she cared.

"Sasuke has arrived early, Tsunade wants you there" he simply asked and scoffed, "although I can't imagine why she would want a 15-year old brat like you there"

Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly, but nodded. Without saying anything she shut the door. Grabbing a few kunai and refilling her small bag she opened the door again to reveal a very irritated chuunin. Without saying anything she gestured for him to lead the way and he did. Jumping along rooftops Sakura's gaze landed on a window. She met the eyes of the girl from earlier. She smiled at Sakura before grabbing the boy, and kissing him. Sakura didn't waver, nor slower her pace. She couldn't remember when she smiled either.

They reached the end of the village when the chuunin suddenly halted. Sakura landed beside him and crossed her arms. She was silent, waiting for the chuunin to explain. He didn't. Deciding this is where she would meet Tsunade, Sakura settled for scanning her surroundings. The only ninja here was the chuunin beside her. Getting slightly irritated Sakura looked at him. The chuunin ignored her. Sakura followed his gaze and there was Naruto. She jumped down the roof, and made her way to him. That's when she saw him.

Uchicha Sasuke. Her love and pain.

For the first time in three years she felt something. Pain. For three years she had become numb to the pain she felt everyday, it simply didn't bother her anymore. But somehow, despite the fact that she was used to pain, she still felt it. Her heart broke al over again. She forgot to breathe and could only stare. He hadn't changed much, and his eyes... somehow his eyes seemed livelier. Had he gotten his revenge? She felt her walls crack, and she could feel more then one emotion. So, she still loved him after all. Shaking her head slightly and ignoring such trivial things as her emotions she made her way over Naruto. No, she wasn't that Sakura anymore. She wasn't like that girl anymore. She was strong, she was a weapon, she just needed to remember that. Naruto smiled at her, apparently hoping the same as Tsunade-sama had.

"Where is Tsunade?" she asked, before Naruto had the time to greet her.

Naruto's face fell, and his eyes showed sadness. She simply looked back, her face neutral, eyes empty, as if she hadn't cracked mere seconds ago.

"She's coming" he simply said, his tone almost defeated.

Sasuke had remained silent, watching Sakura's every move. To say he was surprised was an understatement, and he frowned.

"Sakura..." Her name escaped his lips before he had time to think about it.

Her cold eyes settled on him. Naruto looked, his eyes darting between them.

"Sasuke, welcome back" she simply said, just being formal. She didn't want him anymore, she didn't need him like she used to, nor did she love him. She had forgotten those emotions, and she was content to let them rot. Ignorance is bliss.

He frowned. She stared, giving nothing away.

"You've changed" he stated.

Sakura smirked, his frown deepened.

"So it seems." she simply said.

She turned, and he stared confused. She simply leaned into a concrete wall, waiting for Tsunade to arrive. Sasuke stood confused, Naruto stood beside him, a knowing sad look on his face.

"A lot has changed since you left" Naruto simply stated. Sasuke turned to him.

"What happened?" Sasuke asked, his eyes glued to Sakura. Naruto looked at him. Was that worry? Maybe there was still hope after all... A sparkle of hope shined in Naruto's eyes. But it died down in seconds.

"You broke her" Naruto simply said his voice sad, earning a confused look from Sasuke. He sighed and focussed his look on Sakura, who had now crossed her arms and closed her eyes.

"After you've left she could do nothing but cry. She refused to eat, drink, she hardly slept. Then suddenly one day she came to me, demanding to train with me. Slowly she turned cold and no pleads, begs, or demands could stop it. She's been this way for three and a half years now. Claiming she's nothing but a weapon serving the village" Naruto explained looking sadder by the minute. Sasuke just listened, quietly.

"And nothing we did had helped, she is lost Naruto" came a voice from behind both boys.

Sasuke slightly turned his head to look at Tsunade, but Naruto kept staring.

"No..." he weakly protested but he knew it was true. Sakura's eyes opened and she made her way to Tsunade. Her eyes were empty, yes Tsunade was right. She was to far gone to save now.

Naruto looked sad, she guessed he was disappointed. Sasuke looked slightly troubled, she guessed he knew about her then. God, she had been weak before, hadn't she? And Tsunade... She smirked, Tsunade just looked defeated. She bowed to Tsunade and waited for her to bark out orders. Silence continued, and Sakura waited. Naruto stared ahead of him, and Sasuke stared along with him, hand in his pockets. Tsunade refused to meet her eyes, what was going on?

Sakura crossed her arms and continued to look at Tsunade, silently commanding her to open her mouth already. When she didn't Sakura decided to speak up, although she didn't speak often anymore.

"Why did you need me to come?" she asked, voice as dead as her eyes were.

Tsunade finally looked at her, and her pained look was replaced by the business look Sakura was used to.

"There is a rumour that three ninja's are causing trouble. I was going to wait until you three would get used to each other again, but they killed an innocent woman and her child today. They are coming to our village and I want you three to assassinate them. We do not know their level so you three have to be careful" Tsunade told them. They all nodded.

"I need you three to get ready, you're leaving tomorrow morning before the sun is up. Here are the file reports make sure you are ready"

She handed them the reports and they nodded. Tsunade nodded back, and signalled they could go. They did.

Sasuke saw Sakura walking, and without a second thought decided to follow her.

Let's see how much you've changed Sakura.

He narrowed his eyes.

And see if I can change it.

He didn't stop to ponder why, but he wanted to help Sakura. In a way, he owed it to Naruto, and the village.

Well that's it. Hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter is going to be pretty violent, just so you know. Review if you're up to it.

Until next time!

Gasha Aisu.