Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto; cuz if I did, then Sasuke-kun would have never have broken Sakura's heart!

Ok, so here's my first-ever chapter fic! Please tell me what you all think! I will be updating regularly! xD It's rated "M" for stuff that happens coming up in later chapters.

Here goes!

…

Stained Cherry Blossoms

Summary: Sakura has changed in the years that Sasuke has been gone. A tragedy has happened in her life leaving Sakura bent on revenge. When Sasuke returns, she hardly acknowledges his presence, focusing solely on training. She will get her revenge if it's the last thing she does, but if she does, then what? Will her heart ever learn to love again?

Prologue:

The cool, crisp fall morning blew her short choppy bangs in her eyes. But she didn't care, they were closed anyways. Her hands clasped together tightly, forming the final seal that would focus her chakra into her counter-attacking jutsu.

Please let this work…she silently prayed.

Of COURSE it'll work you BAKA!

Urusei! What're you doing awake so early in the morning anyways? (1)

I'm here to make sure you don't get your ass KICKED! Inner Sakura retorted fiercely.

Inwardly, Sakura groaned. Opening her jade eyes, Sakura faced her opponent.

Rock Lee's heart simply melted when he saw Sakura's piercing green eyes meet his.

"Sakura-san, I don't think I should—"

"Shut it Lee! I NEED to do this!" Sakura's eyes were pleading.

Lee sighed as he took a stolid, offensive stance, a sad look in his usually cheery eyes.

Sakura-san, you're pushing yourself too hard…

Sakura could see the worry etched into his face, but her heart told her to ignore it. People who showed their concern for her now would only hold her back from what she really needed to do.

FLASHBACK

Sakura walked cheerfully up to Tsunade's door, preparing to enter. The Fifth had asked her to come to her office. She didn't sound happy when Sakura answered the phone. Sakura lifted her fist to knock on the door, but paused when she heard grave voices speaking inside.

"Tsunade-sama, is it wise to tell her who is responsible for their deaths? After all, we may not know if Sasuke was involved in killing them…" Sakura recognized the voice of her sensei, Kakashi. Her eyes widened with fear and her breath hitched in her throat. 'What the hell are they talking about!' she thought.

"Under the circumstances, Kakashi, I have no choice. Her parents have been gone for about two months on this recon mission. I just received the notice of their deaths. It was written by Orochimaru himself. I don't like this anymore than you do…It all seems like a plot to me to lure Sakura—"

"What the hell is going on?" Sakura yelled as she'd burst through the door, cutting Tsunade's sentence off.

"Sakura, your parents…they've been murdered."

Sakura's eyes widened and her heart shot up into her throat. "I'm gonna be sick…" she said after a moment.

Kakashi put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we're sending out ANBU squads to kill the ones responsible…"

Sakura's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You mean Orochimaru's men." She said hotly.

Tsunade's eyes widened. "How did you--?" "She heard through the door. All my students are geniuses in stealth, all except for Naruto." Kakashi said, watching Sakura's reaction. Sakura ignored whatever it was that was said next. Her eyes focused on the floor and she fought furiously to stop the tears that threatened to come. 'I swear to you, Tousa, Okaasan, I WILL get revenge and avenge you!' she thought savagely. (2)

END FLASHBACK

Sakura winced at the memory. It was the reason why she was training so hard. It had been a little over a year since she'd been called to Tsunade's office to hear the news. Since then, she'd focused on training all the time with Lee, increasing her speed.

Then, almost four months ago, they got Sasuke back. He'd been found bloody and beaten in front of Konoha's gates. Sakura rolled her eyes. She didn't trust him either. But there was something about him that was different. He didn't seem as cold as he did six years ago. The look in his eyes seemed almost complacent, instead of always angry.

Sakura shrugged it off, telling herself to forget him. But there were always those moments when a confrontation with him seemed inevitable. Sakura never looked him in the eyes anymore. She never knew what to say when she was around him now either. It almost seemed to her, that they had switched roles. Kakashi had called Team 7 together again, but for the past two weeks, Sakura had stopped meeting with them to train, instead training one-on-one with Lee.

Her heart was on fire at everything that had happened. So much pain erupted in her chest, bringing those damn tears again…

"Sakura-san, perhaps we should stop?" Lee asked, putting persuasion into his voice.

She shook her head no, one arm hugging her chest to try to stifle the pain.

It served as a reminder to her weakness. Failure to save her parents. Failure to even save her heart.

"Not a chance Lee-san. I want to train until I'm the strongest shinobi in Konoha. AND I want to do it without Sasuke-kun and Naruto finding out why."

Lee nodded his head once, conceding. Recently educated on what happened to Sakura before Sasuke's return, did he understand her determination to improve.

Sombering up, he took a fighter's stance once again, and waited for her to make her move.

Sorry it's so short! Lol! I had to get it started and posted so I will be more motivated to get this story going. It's gonna seem a little slow at first, but its building. xD

So just bear with me, please? Lol!

Urusei: shut-up

Tousa & Okaasan: Dad & Mom (Father & Mother)