Notice: Sasuke's punishment was that he couldn't leave the village, go on missions, or train after twelve pm. This would last for three months. Just so you know, I'll be time skipping.
Sasuke laid on his bed looking up at the ceiling. "So bored," he mumbled to himself. He rolled over to his side and groaned. "I've gotta do something." He sat up and looked at his watch. 12:01 pm. He rolled his eyes and opened his window. He looked around and then jumped out.
Sasuke walked around the streets of Konoha doing his grocery shopping. He had no reason to do so, but he was bored and rich. Nothing else to do but buy things right? As he was about to pick up a bag of chips from a shelf, a cold feminine voice spoke.
"I see you're out of your hermit shell, Uchiha."
Sasuke turned to his left and saw Sakura piercing through his eyes with her sharp, blank stare. "It's called a house," he corrected sarcastically. He smirked and added, "Haruno."
Sakura's stare now turned into a very intimidating glare. "You're pathetic. You found nothing to do so you decide to buy merchandise for fun. Well, what about the people who NEED them, huh? Ever thought of that, baka?" She folded her arms and waited for his answer.
Sasuke kept his mouth closed. It's my fault she's like this. I was like her when we were young. So cold and distant...
"Uchiha."
Sakura's stern wake up call brought Sasuke out of his thoughts. He lowered his gaze from her eyes to the floor and replied grudgingly, "No."
Sakura closed her eyes and turned around to leave. "At least you know now."
Sasuke placed the chips in the basket full of...stuff...he was carrying and watched the pink-haired kunoichi leave. He smirked to himself. "As if." He went to the cash register to pay for his groceries.
"Hey Sasuke-teme!" Naruto called when Sasuke came out of the grocery store. He was with Neji and Shikamaru.
"Yo," Sasuke called back calmly. He walked up to the trio and asked, out of topic, "What's wrong with Sakura?"
The three boys looked away and kept silent.
Sasuke knew they were keeping something from him, and he didn't like it. "Let go to my house to talk about it."
The three accepted and they all went to the Uchiha's luxurious mansion-like house.
When the four came inside the house, Naruto, Neji, and Shikamaru sat on a long couch as Sasuke sat on a small, yet comfy chair. They started the 'conference'.
"So?" Sasuke started.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto answered lowly, "She's...different. She only softens herself to Ino. To the rest of us...she isolates herself and always says harsh words. She doesn't smile or laugh anymore."
"Sometimes," Shikamaru remarked, "I come home late in the evening from Chouji's house...and I pass by her house. I take a glance at her window and see her crying. At least I know she's human- Ow!"
Naruto punched Shikamaru on the head. "You peek into her window? Pervert!"
Shikamaru flailed his arms around. "N-no!" he stuttered, "She's my friend! I would never do that! I'm just concerned for her that's all. And besides, I don't peek! I glance."
Sasuke seemed to twitch. Shikamaru...concerned? Wow. Everyone has changed.
"And it's all your fault," Neji added coldly. His pearl eyes traveled to the young Uchiha, who looked at him with a clueless look. "YOU made her like this. She trains 24/7, believes that she's better than evryone else, and she's not social."
Ouch. Naruto and Shikamaru stopped their bickering and looked at Neji.
Sasuke closed his eyes and said, "Thank you. That's all that I need to know." But inside, he was hurt, though he already knew it was his fault. It still hurts to know the truth from someone else.
"Bye Sasuke-teme," Naruto waved as the trio exited the door and closed it along the way.
Sasuke stood up and placed his groceries in the right places in his kitchen. My fault.
Sakura was in the forest throwing dozens of shuriken and kunai on target points she set up on many of the trees. She hit every single one. She sat down on the ground and panted. "That-was...i-intense," she muttered. She inhaled sharply and then exhaled. She stood up and began picking out her weapons from the target boards.
The kunoichi left the forest and was now at the park, under a cherry blossom tree. She picked up one of its fallen flowers and looked into it deeply. Sakura...cherry blossom. Pathetic. It just makes me underestimated by my foes! As if the flower had betrayed her, she angrily threw it aside.
"So this is where you are...Haruno." Sasuke seemed to have spat the last word.
Sakura turned around and spat back, "Uchiha." She then turned her back on him and asked dryly, "What are you doing here?"
"Tell me," Sasuke answered in an emotionless tone, "Do you love me?"
Sakura smirked and turned around to face him. She snickered and said, "I never knew you were so stupid, Uchiha. Years ago, you were the top smartest of the academy." She then added, "Don't forget, you're just lucky that the Hokage gave you the chance to prove youself worthy of my level that I can speak to you."
That last sentence hit hard. Sasuke almost flinched at her harsh words. "Indeed I am," he admitted, "So answer me. Do you?"
"No. I no longer know how to love. Just to hate...detest. Do not expect any feelings from me." And with that, she left the park.
Sasuke stood by the cherry tree, mentally flabbergasted. She...she can't be Sakura. She must be Itachi. She HAS to be! But wait...nah! I killed Itachi! He leaned his back on the tree and looked up at the falling petals. "Sakura," he whispered, "Cherry blossom." He straightened himself and left the park as well.
Nightfall came to Konoha. It was quiet and peaceful. No chaotic sounds, just dark and comforting.
Except for one. Sakura. She was at her window again, looking up at the skies. So dark...so soothing. She closed her eyes and imagined herself being in the dark mists of the heavens. Without even knowing it, she slowly lowered her body and fell asleep on her soft mat.
Sasuke-kun...
