To: Sakura

Subject: [unknown]

From: Itachi

Are you okay? (9 p.m.)

To: Sakura

Subject: [unknown]

From: Itachi

Did you make it home okay?

Sasuke still isn't home yet.

(10 p.m.)

To: Sakura

Subject: [unknown]

From: Itachi

Nevermind. (10:20 p.m.)

"Goodmorning, Sakura."

A kiss was pressed to her forehead, but her eyes did not waver from where they were staring out of the window. At least, trying to. The black-out curtains that blocked the sun made it difficult, but Sakura had looked out of her own window often enough to be able to imagine what the view outside would be like. She knew that, like she was staring at the window, he was staring at her. Still, she could not find it in herself to reply. It was not a goodmorning.. It wasn't even a goodnight.

"Are you hungry?"

"No. I should probably get home, actually," Sakura says as she slowly sits up. The blanket pools around her waist and she hunches her shoulders together to hide herself. In the back of her mind, she knew that there was no point. He had already seen her and all that she had to offer - would have offered. Shame coursed through her veins and she tried not to let it show with the fake smile that she gave him.

"Why?"

"Christmas break is coming up and I have a lot to prepare for these two weeks of school."

"Ah."

He says nothing else and neither does she as she gets dressed. Once she's at the door he offers a disinterested "Be careful" to which she only nods and gives him a fake smile.

Heading down the stairs, wariness creeps into her. She didn't want to run into anyone and that feeling tightens in her chest once she spots Itachi on the couch with a coffee cup pressed to his lips. Walking past him, she keeps her eyes on the door.

"See you later, Sakura."

Looking out of the corner of her eye she sees his eyes settling on hers, searching her for something that she didn't even know. As quick as she looks, she furrows her brows and opens the door.

She didn't spare him a glance but he couldn't risk looking away.

"What is wrong with me?"

Sakura flops down on her bed with her journal on her stomach. Since being with Sasuke, she has been able to cross many more things off of her list, and at first it had made her feel lightened and afloat. Now.. She felt drained and chained. That is something that she hadn't really felt much in her life.

She loved Sasuke, but she loved what she thought was Sasuke. She didn't know what had gotten into him lately but more importantly, she didn't know what had gotten into herself lately either. Never in her life had Sakura been silent in an argument. Never in her life had she just laid there and took it. She was not that kind of girl. She didn't become student council president every year just to let some guy walk all over her over something that she didn't even do wrong.

And yet, she let him. Even worse, she ignored one of her only friends that understood her.

Turning onto her side, she lifts the journal up to her face and eyes the pages with distaste. She supposed it was true that one had to be careful what they wished for. The grass wasn't always greener on the other side.

Sakura had to talk to Sasuke, but she also needed to talk to someone else too. She had to get this figured out and she needed to do it soon. She loved Sasuke, but in the process of loving him, she needed to be able to love herself, too.

"So, to what do I owe this pleasure of having miss Sakura herself in my bedroom?" Ino laughs out as she throws open her bedroom door. The assault of all different shades of pink and purple made Sakura's eyes burn slightly, but she pushed that aside for the bigger problem here.

Groaning, Sakura collapses onto the blondes fluffy bed, and closes her eyes.

"Sasuke."

"What about him? Is it time that I get the boys? I've kept them on speed dial," Ino says seriously and sits down next to her.

"No, no!" Sakura says and sits up quickly to take the blondes' phone from her. "No, nothing like that. I'm just kind of at a loss as to what to do."

"Spill."

And she did. Sakura told her about what happened on the way home, how she felt, and then about this morning.

"Damn forehead, you sure know how to pick them."

Sakura rolls her eyes, smacking her with a small throw pillow, before sitting up with a sigh. "What do I do?"

"You talk to him," Ino fixes her with a glare when she could feel Sakura about to interrupt, "but you talk to him on your terms and in a place that you feel comfortable."

"Fine, fine.. I'll try."

"In the meantime, let's decompress - we won't get very many opportunities to just hang out after summer."

"Thank you, I needed this," Sakura says softly as she pulls away from her hug with Ino.

"It's no problem, you know that I'll always be here for you," Ino smiles and waves at her as she leaves.

Sakura didn't know how she was going to cope without her best friend. She knew that college was going to be a real testament of the strength of their bond, but she knew that they could pull through. If they couldn't, then she wasn't sure anyone would.

Once she was at home, Sakura pulled her phone from her pocket. She knew what she had to do, she just wasn't sure how it would come out to be. She just hoped that it would be fine.

Sakura found herself at the beach. The sun was setting and the waves were gentle when the water came to caress the sand as tides. The water licked at her feet and she felt a relaxed sigh fall from her lips. She dared not think about what life would be like if she had to move from the relaxing waves of the beach or the cries of the birds as they fly overhead. She wouldn't be who she is without them.

"Hey."

Turning around, emerald met black, and a firm press of her lips was the only warning the stoic male got before the gentleness of the sea he was used to exploring was a tsunami that was going to drown him if he did not concede to her.

They were sitting on a rock, toes dipped into the water, and a silence hanging around them as they watched the sun drip down into the vast seas embrace.

"I don't want this to end," she finally let out.

"I know."

"Then what are we going to do about it?" She asks, her face facing the ocean, while his was facing hers. He slowly brings his hand to hers, his fingers lightly tracing her own, until he eventually clasps them together. "Something needs to be done."

"I know."

"I don't have any romantic feelings towards him."

"I know."

"I only want you, but I can't continue to have you if everytime I do something that you don't like you become an enraged inferno. This isn't the first time," she sighs out as she thinks back to the days in school that he was slightly colder towards her because she smiled at someone or talked to them instead of him.

"I know."

"Are you willing to work on this with me?" Her eyes finally meet his and he only gives her a nod before he lightly grabs her chin. His eyes flicker from her eyes to her lips and notices the slight damage to them that was likely from her chewing on her lip. No doubt from stress, stress that he was certain was his fault. His eyes go back towards hers and the world around them stills as he leans forwards to capture her lips. His eyes are closed and Sakura only observes as he moves to bring her closer, but only as close as she would let him. She was still in control and she decided to give in, closing her own eyes, and returning the kiss.

Perhaps it could work out after all.

Winter break came and went relatively fast.

It wasn't long until Christmas was upon them and even quicker still when New Years Eve was upon them. Sakura wasn't much of a drinker, but a glass of vodka mixed with orange juice placed in her hand by Sasuke and an encouraging look from Ino was just enough persuasion for her that night to try it. She wouldn't say that she was prone to go out drinking or even partying often, but it was fun enough for that one night. She had a couple more, but after a while, the scene of Sasuke's living room turned into gray bed sheets, a white ceiling, and onyx eyes that she could drown in. There wasn't much that she remembered from that night - she couldn't even remember the count down - but she did remember how out of this world she felt when it was just her, Sasuke, and the feeling of him trailing up and down her skin with his fingers and lips in silent worship.

It was otherworldly and she relished to feel like that again.

"Something on your mind?" Sasuke asks, opening the door, to her bug. The car was small and he felt a little cramped, but she had wanted to drive and for once, he couldn't say no.

"I'm just thinking about New Years."

She didn't need to look over at him to tell that he was smirking. He prided himself in his "game" and she knew it.

As she pulled out of his driveway, she headed towards the school. The end of the year was approaching fast and Sakura found herself antsy about it. Pretty soon, all of her friends would be leaving, and she wondered if Sasuke, too, would be leaving her. She hadn't asked because she was scared to. Everything was changing around her and she wasn't very good with that kind of thing. It interrupted her schedule and her way of life. Still, she couldn't think of any schools with the schooling he would need anywhere near Konoha.

"Now what is on your mind," he asks her and she offers him a small smile as she pulls into the parking lot.

"Oh, you know.. Just the future," she says softly and he raises an eyebrow, silently asking her to elaborate. "Everyone is going to be going to college soon. There won't be a lot of time for each other like now. It's going to be different, really different, and I have no idea how I'm going to cope." She breathes out, settling her worried emerald eyes on him. "I don't even know where you are going to go to school."

"I'm sure it will all be fine," he leans forward and presses a kiss to her forehead. "As for me, I've been accepted into a University a couple hours from here. I will be staying in a dorm, but I will be home during breaks."

"Oh.." It wasn't what she wanted to hear, but it was an answer. "I'm glad it isn't too far."

"We'll be fine."

She hoped so.

This year, spring break was pushed back and, coincidentally, fell on Sakura's birthday. This hadn't happened very often, but Sakura was slightly excited. Sakura and everyone else had all been saving up to go on a trip for their senior year. The plan was to go up north and stay in a cabin in the woods. They figured that different scenery would be interesting, not to mention that Naruto's parents owned where they were going to be staying. Needless to say, the teens were all excited to be going somewhere without parental supervision.

"Pig, I don't really think you should be the one driving." Sakura says as she swipes the keys out of her best friends fingers. They were taking two vehicles: Kushina's van and then Mikoto generously offered her suv. "You don't have the best driving record and I would hate to have to explain to Sasuke's mom why her suv isn't in one piece anymore."

"Oh, whatever," Ino rolls her eyes before climbing into the passenger seat. "I guess you can drive - this time." Sakura smiles before hopping into the drivers seat. She prided herself in her driving skills. Hearing the back door open, she turns around to greet Sasuke.

"Are you sure you don't want to drive?" She asks him, already knowing the answer as soon as Hinata joins them in the suv.

"And have to be awake the entire drive listening to all of you gossip?" He questions, raising his eyebrow and pulling a face as if it was the dumbest question on the planet. "I think I'll pass," he finishes as he plugs in his ear buds to get comfortable.

Sakura rolls her eyes before starting up the suv once she sees the van pull out. It was agreed upon that Naruto was going to be leading the way and Sakura honestly couldn't blame Hinata for riding with her. He wasn't a very good driver, but he wasn't any better at giving directions.

Pulling into the driveway, Sakura couldn't believe her eyes.

The view was breathtaking. The trees around them were tall and towered over everything easily, but what really caught her attention was the lake that gave way to a waterfall. She vaguely heard Naruto giving out directions to each of the rooms and bathrooms, but her feet was taking her elsewhere. Trailing the lake, she came to stand near the edge of the drop off. She looks down and her heart stops. Below was an even smaller pond and a little valley with rocks and picnic tables.

"Hey Naruto! Is there a way to get down there from here?" She asks, getting the attention of him.

"Yeah, I think so. We might just have to walk around a little, but I'm sure there is."

"Perfect," she claps her hands together.

This retreat was going to be perfect.

"Why are you such a blanket hog," Sakura whines as she pulls the blanket back over herself. Currently they were all in the living room, bundled up together, as they watch a movie. On the screen was the newest movie in the Jurassic Franchise. It wasn't bad, but they definitely preferred the older ones.

"I don't know, maybe there isn't enough room for you!" Grouches Ino as she tugs on the blanket. Sakura and Ino were on one loveseat while Sasuke was off in a recliner, playing on his phone, and disengaged from the room.

"That's rich coming from a pig," snarks Sakura and electricity sparks between them.

"Now, now let's not fight," says Hinata softly. "I'm sure there is plenty of blankets to go around." She turns to Naruto, quietly asking him if there are anymore. As he gets up to go find more, Sakura and Ino cross their arms and huff.

"I wouldn't be so cold if someone would have sat with me," sniffs Sakura and Ino consolingly wraps her arm around her.

"There, there," Ino says as she plays into it. Sasuke only offers them an eye roll before going back to his phone. Sighing in defeat, Sakura settles for cuddling Ino rather than trying to engage her boyfriend into the festivities.

"Here ya go," says Naruto as he drops a blanket on top of them.

"Hey!" They say in unison, but he doesn't pay them any mind as he pulls Hinata up by her hand.

"I think that we're going to go on and go to bed. It was a long drive here, we should all rest up," Naruto says and Shikamaru didn't need to be told twice before he was darting to his designated room.

"That's odd coming from you, Naruto. You're usually the last to sleep," Sakura raises an eyebrow and the blond only blushes. It clicks and Sakura makes a face, but isn't fast enough to save Hinata from embarrassment before Ino is loudly exclaiming "Ewww!"

Quickly, Naruto throws his hands up and starts freaking out. "No, no it's nothing like that! I swear! We just like to cuddle!"

Hinata had died at this point and Sakura honestly felt bad for the girl. However, there wasn't much she could do in this situation except go along with Ino and say, "Suuree." The damage had already been done, anyway.

As the night rolled on, Sakura found herself on the back porch staring at the night sky. She wasn't tired and she figured the night sounds of the woods could perhaps lull her into at least a sleepy state. It was nothing like the calming waves of the ocean. She found herself missing the sea very dearly.

Hearing the wood of the deck creek, her head snaps up quickly, and her eyes meet Sasuke's as he comes to sit down next to her.

Lately, everything between them has been fine. Great, even. It was back to what it was like when they first started dating. The magic had returned and Sakura constantly felt like she was floating on air around him. Sakura was relieved that it turned out this way, she couldn't have imagined a better outcome if she tried. The only downside was that she lost what could have potentially been a great friend.

"He asked about you."

"Why?"

"He wanted to know what you wanted for your birthday."

"I have everything that I could want right here."

She leans her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes. Breathing out softly, she could feel her body relax against him when his arm moved to wrap around her. She could hear him tapping on his phone, but she blocked that out in favor of the sounds of the wind dancing with the tree leaves, the owls hoots, and the sound of the waterfall. Slowly, it lulled her to sleep.

"Aren't you going to swim?" Sakura calls out, waving at Sasuke from her spot in the pond. He only shook his head, pointing to his phone that was pressed against his ear. Frowning, she left him be.

"I swear, it's like he is attached to that thing." Ino mumbles out. Sakura could only nod in agreement.

"Watch out!" Shouts Kiba as he jumps into the water, followed by his dog Akamaru, effectively splashing Ino and Sakura in the process.

"Oh, you're gonna get it," screams Ino as she and Sakura attack with splashes of their own.

They carried on, all of them splashing each other, and before long they were all stretched out in the grass. They were all tired, looking up at the sky, enjoying being in one anothers company.

"Hey look! That one looks like Sasuke's hair!" Laughed out Naruto and naturally, Kiba snorted along with it.

"It does not," says Sasuke as he finally joins the group.

"It kind of does," says Sakura sheepishly as she giggles along with Ino and Hinata. She couldn't lie to herself anymore, his hair did look a bit like a ducks hind end.

He only rolls his eyes, plopping himself down next to Sakura and pulling her closer to him.

"Whatever."

Spring break came and ended, but Sakura thought that the memories would carry on forever.

She had the time of her life and she was immensely grateful that they got to go on that trip together.

It was those thoughts that brought the smile to her lips as she jogs along the beach that morning. The end of the school year was approaching fast, but it wasn't as daunting as it once was. She was looking forward to it. It was the end of one chapter, but it also opened the doors to many more. She was prepared to take that step into the right direction and make all of her families hard work worth it. She wouldn't fail.

One step at a time. One person at a time. Each and every one of them walked across that stage. Some did it more extravagantly than others and some you could have sworn didn't even really cross. Still, they did it, and Sakura couldn't have been more proud of her class.

"Over here, over here! There she is, my darling girl," sang her mother as she came into view. Next to her, she spotted Mikoto, Fugaku, Sasuke, and.. Itachi. Looking around, Sakura tried to spot her dad, and disappointment filled her chest. Seeing her face fall, Sakura's mother quickly hugged her. "Don't worry, I facetimed him the entire time. He was cheering for you the whole time."

"Thank you," she sniffs as she buries her face into her mothers shoulder.

"Thank you for making me so proud," cried out her mother.

"Sakura, would you like me to take a picture of you and your mother, dear?" Asked Mikoto kindly and Sakura smiled.

"Yes, please, we would appreciate it."

They took a few photos. At some point, Sakura ended up taking pictures with the Uchiha family. Out of all of them, only one she would hang in a frame in her room. This picture that made her feel so proud and loved was of her and Sasuke. They were staring at one another and they both looked so happy, so in love. It took her breath away when she remembered the look that was being given to her in that moment. It was right before he had kissed her and at long last, returning her "I love you."

It was perfect.

That summer was spent at the beach or someones house. Sakura attended so many parties that her friends threw that she didn't even know how many there were at this point. She didn't usually attend them, but this was likely the last summer that they were to be thrown so she felt obligated to. She didn't necessarily stay long, nor did she really drink, but when she did, she couldn't figure out if she imagined the fire in Sasuke's eyes when they stared down at her or if it was true that he looked at her in such a way.

It was ethereal.

It was where she found herself currently.

Her hair was all tangled and wet, courtesy of the wind and the ocean, but she didn't mind. Her lips were soft and parted, letting out quiet moans when she was touched just right. Her own fingers were tangled in black locks and her legs were wrapped around what would seem to be her lifeline.

"You're perfect," he whispered against her skin, and she couldn't take it anymore.

"Be sure to call me when you get there," Sakura said as she hugged Sasuke tightly. He was all packed and ready to go to school. It made her heart ache, but she knew that it was necessary for them both to start this chapter of their lives.

"I will." He says and gives her a kiss on the lips before getting in his truck. Sakura watches him drive off, her heart in her chest. He was the last to leave. Now, all she had left in her little town was Hinata and Naruto. Everyone else had already moved on. It was her time to as well.

As it turned out, he would not call.

He wouldn't even text. Instead, he would answer in the early hours of the morning when Sakura was long asleep and tired from her day of school and worrying over him.

This was unfortunately a common occurrence and it only got worse as the school year progressed. She didn't really understand why he had such a hard time talking to her. She even brought it up to his mother and Ino, both only telling her that maybe he is just caught up in school. Still, something didn't feel right in her chest.

Blowing a piece of hair out of her face, Sakura tucked it behind her ear. She was closing her laptop, finally done with her last piece of homework. She was ready to go to sleep, but first she needed to distress herself a little bit and she could only think of one way how. Sighing, she slips on her shoes and a light coat, as she opens the front door to her house quietly. Her parents were long asleep and were not light sleepers in the slightest, but she wanted to be quiet, just in case.

Looking both ways, she crosses the street, and begins her trek over the sand to her favorite bench. The night air was cool and it wasn't surprising. Fall was very much underway and Sakura was, for once, excited about it because it meant that her friends would be returning for a little while. Not to mention, it meant a break from school, and she desperately needed it. Sakura was perhaps a bit ambitious when putting her schedule together for her first year, but she doubted that she would regret it. It was all towards a successful future.

"Sakura."

Her heart stops.

Turning her head around slowly, she catches sight of him, and her heart starts beating once more. In the dark, she could barely make out much of him, but the closer she looks the less lively her heart beats.

"Sasuke, who is she?"

It started to rain, but Sakura couldn't tell if it was rain trailing her face or her own tears.

"Karin, this is Sakura," he drawls out slowly and with every word it feels like a knife gutting her, "A good friend of mine."