It took a minute for Sakura to realize what was happening.
Shikamaru yawned characteristically.
"Here we go again."
Naruto nodded and studied Sakura's face, tapping his chin.
"I see signs of…disappointment." Neji rolled his eyes.
"Whatever. I'm up for some sake. What about you guys?"
"Fine with me." Shikamaru said, eyes closed.
"This is exactly what it was like when Sasuke ran out on her…except it's the other way around…the cruel irony…" Naruto said, circling Sakura.
She bolted out the door and ran for it.
"Let's have some sake, shall we?"
-
"Sasuke!" She called, panting. He didn't turn around. In fact, he started to walk faster.
"SASUKE! STOP!" She screamed, putting her head down and powering her arms and legs, sprinting forward. He whipped around, the glare he was sending even surprising her.
"And do what?" He spat. "Go running back to you? I tried once, I won't try again. You loved me, and now I love you, and you're throwing it all away!"
She stormed up to him.
"You think once is enough! You think once is going to undo all the damage that's been done!" She cried, exasperated. "What about what I'll be throwing away with Miruko, the man I've been with for more than two years. What about that, huh? What about everything we've shared, hm? But no, we only think about ourselves!"
He narrowed his eyes and turned on his heel, but she grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and held firm.
"You don't know how much I loved you, Sasuke. You don't know how bad it was when you left." She whispered, her eyes pleading with him to stay. "How can I say yes to anything now if I'm afraid of what might happen later?"
He ripped her hand off his shirt and shrugged his shoulders angrily.
"If you're so afraid, then why are you trying to make me stay?"
She looked at the ground, and swallowed. He scoffed, and crossed the street.
Her head shot up, tears of frustration welling in her eyes.
"Because!" She yelled desperately. "Because," She ran across the street, standing in the middle of the road. "Because maybe, just maybe, I'm having second thoughts!"
He laughed a cold, hard, mocking laugh.
"Whatever, Sakura."
He expected to hear her calling after him. He expected to hear her cry.
He expected to hear footsteps coming up from behind him, and he expected to turn around and shove her aside.
"Sakura?" He whispered, almost to himself. "Sakura!"
A screeching of tire wheels.
A thud.
"SAKURA!"
There she lay on the asphalt, like a sleeping child.
He rushed to her side, attempting to revive her. Salty tears rolled down his cheeks.
No, her body wasn't mangled, she was not bleeding to death.
But her eyes said it all.
What can I say?
I was in a bad mood.
Oh, and sorry it was so short. The next one will be longer.
AlternateEndings