I'd thought, coming after Sasuke alone I was finally taking responsibility for that burden I had put on Naruto's shoulders all those years ago. I was stronger now, I could do this if I just focused and played my cards right.
As dangerous as my decision to come alone was, I could't just sit back and watch from the sidelines any longer. I wanted to prove to myself that not only did Sasuke not have power over me anymore but I would be damned if anyone else got hurt because of him.
He was once my teammate, making him my responsibility now. I needed to finally put an end to this revenge he now planned to unleash on our home.

It all happened so fast, that one moment of weakness and lapse in conviction may have just cost me my very life.
His hand was wrapped tightly around my throat, squeezing harshly with callused fingers. Worse then that was my chest, it felt like it had been ripped to shreds.

I noted my consciousness as it faded in and out, trying to grasp the situation I was now in, I dully realised as I struggled to stay awake that If I didn't try something I would die.
Sasuke's arm, still rippling with electricity through my chest. His Mangekyo sharingan activated, spinning menacingly. Struggling to see through my blurring vision to look at his face, I saw nothing of the boy I once knew. All that was left was hatred, rage and a sense that he'd finally cracked. There was an unhinged look in his eyes, they were too wide and unblinking, a small cruel smile played on his lips as he watched the life drain from my body.

I felt unwanted tears stream from my eyes as I realised, I still wasn't good enough. I had trained so hard for years but when it came down to the moment of truth I had faltered and he took advantage of that same moment, impaling me.
I was never enough for him to stay and would never be enough for him to change his path or his mind. The delusions I had about the boy I once loved so much I would have defected my very village for, died in that moment.

Feeling a sense of conviction, I lifted a hand to his arm that held me by my throat, locking onto it hard. I had one chance at this, it had to count. He didn't seemed fazed by my hand grabbing his wrist, smirking as he ripped his other arm out of my chest with such force I felt blood instantly fill my mouth and splatter out as I coughed hard. It poured down my face and cloths adding to the gory hole in my chest.
My hand still locked on his wrist I forced myself to look him in the eyes as I pored every last ounce of chakra in my body into my forehead, trying to activate my Strength of a Hundred seal. I had known for a while I was close to activating it after years of funnelling my chakra, I hoped that this final push would be enough.
Seeing Sasuke's eyes narrow with distaste and the smirk fall from his lips. I knew I had done something. I could feel my body healing itself as huge amounts of chakra coursed through me with a power that was intoxicating.
I notice then that Sasuke's eyes were looking past me, A familiar voice rang out far across the bridge, pulling my attention immediately. 'Kakashi-sensai?'

I made my second mistake that day, I let my eyes shoot over to the sound of Kakashi's voice. Watching as the visible part of his face contorted in horror. Time slowed down as Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan span to life, his masked face looked like it was trying to say something before the next thing I knew it felt like a bomb had gone off. Everything went bright and loud than very dark and silent.
Then pain came. I had never experienced anything like it, my very being was torn apart again and again as every cell in my body was set ablaze. I screamed soundlessly into the void but no one was coming, I was alone.

When the pain finally subsided and I heard the soft sound of breathing and the light drumming of a heartbeat, I allowed myself to hope.

'Open your eyes Sakura.. You've got to open your eyes!' I thought as I pushed my consciousness closer to the surface. Shooting up from where I had been laying with a sharp inhale, panic stricken and breathing deeply. I felt my body shaking with adrenaline, memories and intrusive thoughts of dead red spinning eyes wreaked havoc on my now conscious mind.
'Please.. Please make it stop!' I begged my own mind for mercy. Suddenly I wasn't just shaking with adrenaline but rage too. Gritting my teeth hard and clenching my eyes tight I let my head fall, looking down at my hands.
"What?.."
My brain went blank for a moment as I stared down at the long curtain of hair that easily brushed the, 'Pink bedsheets?' Jumping up and out of bed I immediately tripped over my own leg and tumbled forward with a crash. Pushing myself up in front of the oval floor mirror near the window, I froze.

'Was this some kind of trick? A Genjutsu to torture me with?' I stared unblinking in a trance at the twelve year old in the mirror. The feeling of pain and rage still simmering just below the shock. Watching this awaked face looking back at me, I felt waves of sudden and intense feelings wash through me with force.
Worthlessness and inadequacy being two of them.
'Weak. Not good enough.' Ran through my head in an endless loop, assaulting my psyche. When I reached for my chakra the thought felt truer then ever, the pathetic amount was barely above that of a civilian.

I sat frozen, I could feel my breaths coming faster as my head got light, my thoughts more erratic. 'Useless, weak, pathetic, ugly... You'll never be enough.'
I lifted my hands to my face roughly, staring through spread fingers with wide unblinking eyes.
A growing neurotic look took over my face as I pushed most of the chakra I could to my hands-turning them a soft glowing green. I could distinctly hear the sounds of cracking and snapping of bones as I broke them and mended them back together again. Altering the appearance of my face.
When I finally let my hands drop back to my lap and looked into the reflection I'd always wanted. Replacing my round and chubby face was a heart shaped one, with thick dark lashes and lips slightly more pouty. I still looked like me, my wide set green eyes and small nose left untouched. So why did I feel no joy at the changes I saw?..

Looking at this polished version of myself did nothing to stop the feelings of worthlessness and anxiety that wracked my body with a sob. Frustrated with how impulsive and superficial I was acting, I tried stilling my mind from racing thoughts as I brought my hands up ready to try release the Genjutsu, "Kai…" Nothing, "Kai…Kai.…..Kai"
Of course it was a strong Genjutsu, what did I expect..
Pain it was then..
Musing to myself for a moment, 'I had to assume that when I broke the bones in my face that the soothing, pain relieving aspects of my medical Jutsu had prevented me from breaking the Genjutsu I was in.' At least that's what I told myself.

Standing with new found conviction and making my way closer towards the oval mirror, I was ready. Grabbing each side of it, I took a second to admire my work before bringing my forehead down on the glass with such force that it shattered into thousands of little pieces. Glass was wedged into the skin on my forehead, causing blood to freely poor down my face and the white shift night dress I wore, I didn't care.

"Sakura?! What's happened? Are you okay?" I heard the sound of my mothers voice as she ran up the stairs. I felt the lump rise in the back of my throat as I realised that pain wouldn't work to break this allusion. I needed time to work this out.

Thinking quick, I pulled every last ounce of chakra I had in this feeble body to henge into a young male leaf Shinobi and swiftly moved to jump out the lone window down onto the streets. Getting a few odd stares as I stumbled running like some clumsy civilian.
I was starting to realise as I ran along the streets, that the amount of detail and accuracy of my village and its inhabitants was possible too advanced to be a Genjutsu. I noticed familiar faces as I kept myself moving forward, running on foot with no help from my chakra. I prayed I wouldn't come across any issues as I..

"Sakura?..."

Stopping and turning slowly, still henged as a boy, I wondered briefly who in the hell would know it was me? I got my answer when I caught the annoyed bored face of one Uchiha Sasuke. One eyebrow raised with question, arms crossed over his chest and a look that said, 'Are you stupid or something?'

I was so shocked, I froze on the spot. I felt the hair on my body stand on end as I started to lightly shake from memories of our last meeting. My tight grip on the dwindling amount of chakra I had slipped away, dropping my henge and leaving me bare for his eyes to take in.
I'd never quite seen the expression Sasuke wore on his face before but I was willing to take his moment of shock and use it to my advantage.
I turned to my right fast, moving down a darker and more seedy alley. Pushing my legs hard, knowing if he pursued I'd have little time to no time to put distance between us, if any. Seeing a familiar mop of red hair and pale green eyes ahead, I felt some relief, 'Gaara! The kind and quiet Kazekage who cared for his people with strength and dedication flashed through my mind, immediately putting him in the 'Safe' category. Ignoring the alarm bells warning me that this was a much younger man then that Kazekage, I continued my frantic dash forward, feeling a shiver run up my spine as I sensed Sasuke right behind me.