Tortured Memories

PoD- "Almost finished!"

Senior Gaara- "For those who have not seen episode 109 of Naruto, forgive, there are spoils in this chapter as a flash back...though, we haven't.-please read!"

XIV

I had returned to the camp. Gaara had gone wandering, but I didn't really care anymore. I sat down and closed my eyes. I was met by Sasuke's disorted face and I shook my head, telling myself that things would be back to normal soon. I shut them again and I saw him again and again; each time I closed my eyes he was there.

"Sasuke...kun."

I looked up at him and in that instant his body and traps went up in smoke. I stared, a subtitution jutsu. How long had it been like that?

I stood up and ran. I didn't know where I was running, but I knew it was to find Sasuke. I dodged through the trees and moved closer to a clearing.

Sasuke, why? Why did you leave? Why have you gone without saying a word? It's like you're a child again. Like you were leaving to join...I stopped in my tracks and stared at the ground.

"I have to hurry."

The full moon was brilliant and bright. It casted a glow on everything, even my face. It made everything look beautiful and innocent.

I heard them. The soft, steady rythm of his feet closing in on me. Coming closer too fast. I hadn't devised my plan yet. So, what was I going to do when I had to reveal myself to him? I stood in the trees and thought. I tried to reason with myself, but I just couldn't. I had to. I had to stop him from leaving. I couldn't, I wouldn't let him walk out of the village. I wasn't letting him go without a fight.

Sasuke-kun, I won't let you leave. You'll have to kill me before I let you!

I stepped out into the road and stared at him. I was right. He had a bag and he was really leaving. I stared wide-eyed at the straps as he continued to walk, unphased by my presence. He finally halted and I couldn't think.

Th-This is...just a dream!

"What are you doing wandering around here at night?" Sasuke asked coldly.

"Because in order to get out of th village, you have to take this road," I answered.

He began toward me then curved away as he walked. "Go home and sleep."

I let him walk right pass me and didn't do anything. I felt my heart break and a tear escaped my eyes.

"Why?" I choked as I turned. "Why won't you tell me anything? Why do you always stay silent? Why won't you say anything to me?"

He stopped and countered quickly. "Why do I have to tell you anything? It's none of your business."

I continued to cry, it was harder but I made no sound and tried not to give myself away. I didn't want to let him know I was crying yet.

"Stop concerning yourself in what I do," he continued.

I smirked slowly. "You've...always hated me, huh?" I smiled and turned to see him. "Do you remember the day we became Genin and when our three-member team was first chosen? The day you an I were alone, you got mad at me, remember?"

"I don't remember."

That hurt. I flinched at his words as a few more tears escaped my eyes. I began to cry again and he could most likely realize that now.

"Makes sense. That's something that happened a while back. But that's the day when everything started; you and I, and also Naruto and Kakashi-sensei.

The four of us completed a number of missions together. They were tough and a lot of work, but...above all...It was fun!"

I felt myself look at the ground but only for a few seconds. I then looked back up. I hated talking to his back but at least I was stalling his leave.

"I know about your clan, but revenge ...that won't make anyone happy. No one. Neither you nor I," I continued as my eyes fell to the ground again.

"Just as I thought." His voice broke my thought and I stared at him again. "I'm different from you guys. I walked a different path than you guys. I tried to think that it was my path to do the things we've done up until now. The four of us did things together, but my heart decided on revenge in the end. That's my purpose in life. I can't become like you or Naruto."

"Are you going to choose to be alone again!?" I screamed as I felt the threat of tears again but I couldn't control them and they fell wildly. "On that day, you taught me solitude was painful! I understand that so well now! I have a family, and I have friends, but if you're gone...to me...It'll be the same as being alone!"

"From here on...A new path will open for all of us."

"I...! I love you so much! If you stay with me, I'll make sure you won't regret it! Everrday will be fun. We'll definately be happy. I'll do anything for you. So...Please! Stay here! I'll help you with your revenge. I'll do something! So please stay here...with me! If you can't stay, take me with you."

The moon appeared again after the clouds drifted away and I couldn't find any reaction with him. It hurt so much and I couldn't stop myself from falling apart. Sasuke turned and stared at me with a smirk.

"You really are annoying."

I gasped. Those hurt the most, like he took the Chidori and had stabbed me in the chest. How could he? How could he do this to me? How...How? He suddenly turned and began walking again and I didn't think as my dead heart jumped for him.

"Don't leave!" I ran forward and stood in his previous place. "If you do, I'll scream!"

Before I could blink he was gone and I felt him behind me. I stared blankly and waited. What was he doing? I noticed I was still crying and a cued wind came through us ripping leaves from the trees and blowing my hair. What was he doing?

Sasuke...?

"Sakura. Thank you."

I lost my breath for a moment. Emotion flooded through me, though I couldn't define it. I found I was still crying. That simple phrase was almost medicine, mending the dead heart in my breast... but was he going to stay? I felt a single prodding in my back and my eyes widened then slowly shut into bleak darkness.

Sasuke-kun...

I stopped myself by slamming my body against a tree on the edge of the clearing. I looked up at him as he stared into the sky. He looked like a statue as he stared into the night's sky. The only thing I wondered was how long had he been here? Had he just arrived? Or had he been here for minutes? Hours?

I deepened into my thoughts and stared at the ground. I heard his feet shuffle and I retreated further behind the trunk so only a small portion of my face stared out at him. I gripped my hands into fists as I stared at him and I flashed into the past for a moment then forced myself to return to the present. Where I was, again, faced with the task of stopping Sasuke from leaving me. Hopefully, this time I'd be more successsful.

"Sasuke-kun."

"Sakura." I turned my back against the tree and hugged myself. Had he seen me? Had he heard me? I closed my eyes and faced toward the ground. I shook my head roughly.

No, no, no! I can't do this! I won't able to stop him! He'll...Just leave me again!

"Sakura, I know you're there. You're not concealing your chakra like you should while tracking a ninja."

My god! I completely forget about chakra!

"Sakura -" he began.

"Why?" I asked stepping out with one hand on the bark. I walked forward slowly, closing the space between us. I stopped in front of him and stared at the ground. "Why are you leaving?"

"Why does it matter?"

I jerked up at his response and smiled weakly. I reach for his hand but he reeled it away slowly. I cringed as I locked onto the look on his face.

"It matters...to me."