A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! This story will jump a bit, I'm trying to line up the story with the current manga chapters as well as parts in the anime. So if you are behind, read/watch them! My story could contain spoilers or may just serve to confuse you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Moulin Rouge.

Chapter 2: Fool To Believe

Sakura's green eyes gazed longingly at the backs of Yamato, Kakashi, and Naruto. They were headed off to training, leaving Sakura with a few words of farewell. She knew he would succeed at anything that was thrown at him. He was Naruto after all, someone who would one day become Hokage and loved by the villagers. Deep down inside, Sakura knew Naruto loved her, yet she was too focused on Sasuke and on her health. She pushed down the warm feelings she felt for her blonde haired friend and started back home. The barbecue was interesting to say the least, it ended up with Sai being punched through the wall by Sakura's inhuman strength when he called Ino 'Ms. Beautiful'. She sidestepped a stray rock that was in her path. The sun was still high in the sky, but the heat let everyone know it was the middle of the day.

Maybe I should make some soldier pills for Naruto.

Opening the door to her home, she headed for the kitchen, kicking off her sandals as she went. Getting out herbs, a bottle of vitamins, and some sort of weird mixture she was ready to get started. Sakura focused on the medical aspect of the soldier pill and left covering over the nasty taste out. Who needed flavorful taste when these pills will be high in nutritional value? She hummed and added the ingredients to the bowl, mixing them together. Using her strong nimble hands, rolled the substance into perfect round balls. The oven dinged letting her know it was at the right temperature. Placing uncooked soldier pills on a sheet, she placed them in the oven. Closing the door with a loud snap, she set a timer and sat at the kitchen table, opening one of her medical books. Blindly she reached for the steeped tea that was sitting next to her, left by her mom. Sakura's mom knew she'd be home around this time and would leave fresh tea for her to drink. Currently, her parents were out of the house at their respective jobs. This gave Sakura much needed quiet time, though she loved her parents dearly.

A half hour later the timer went off and Sakura checked her handy work. They were perfect. Smiling happily, she placed them down on the stove top to cool. Sakura noticed how stiff and aching her back and shoulders were and headed up stairs for a shower. Cleanliness is close to godliness, no? With her hair drying and new clothes, she headed off for the training fields. The sun that was once high in the sky, started to slowly climb down. Sakura wanted to check on Naruto and hoped he'd like the soldier pills she made. She paused while watching him train, staying out of sight.

"Sakura?" It was Sai.

Sakura turned her head in acknowledgement, then quickly swiveling back around to watch Naruto.

"He works hard, doesn't he?" Sai commented.

"He does… but sometimes he over does it… Naruto is easily frustrated, and if he can't master this new technique.." Sakura's lower lip trembled, brows knitted.

Sai's mouth slanted in slight confusion, before it upturned into a smile.

"Have faith in Naruto, Sakura." Sakura listened to Sai as he prattled on about the things he read in a relationship book.

"Oh," Sai looked down at the basket, "What are these?" Sakura handed over one to him.

"They are soldier pills I made for Naruto." Sakura said proudly, holding the basket up a bit higher.

Sai bit into the soldier pill absentmindedly before he turned blue. Trying not to gag, he said they were good, but quickly excused himself into a nearby bush. Spitting the vile food out of his mouth, he hung his head. Ugh, that was the nastiest thing he ever ate. After he recomposed himself, he joined Sakura again. She gave him a quizzical look.

"Would you like to know the truth?"

"…Yes."

"They are disgusting."

Sakura's anger flared, "I only concentrated in nutritional value over taste! They are full of-"

"Have you even tried one of them?"

"Well, no I-" Sakura started.

"Try it."

Picking another one out, Sakura gave a triumphant smirk, wanting to prove her soldier pills did not taste that bad. Scraping a small piece off with her pearly white teeth, she chewed. It wasn't long before Sakura turned blue and gagged. It was true, they were awful. Scrunching her face up and backwashing the food out of her mouth, she sighed. The soldier pills were going in the trash; if she gave them to Naruto, he'd probably never speak to her again or claim that she was trying to poison him.

"Why are you here?" Sakura asked while glancing back at the training field. Naruto was splayed out on the ground, panting in frustration.

"Checking on Naruto, the same as you." Sai answered simply.

Sakura touched her forehead gently, she was feeling a little off on her feet. A fever?

"I have to go Sai. Thank you for your… words of advice." Sakura started the long trek home.

Upon returning to her home, she saw her mother stirring a pot on the stove. Was it that late already?

"Oh, hi dear." Himeko greeted. Mrs. Haruno looked just like Sakura, but obviously older.

"Hi mom, smells good, but I will turn in early," Sakura started up the stairs.

"Not feeling well?" Himeko turned from the stove to watch her daughter mount the stairs slowly.

"Yeah… something like that."

She knew her fever-reducing pills would be found near the bedside table. Opening the door to her bedroom, she closed it with a soft click. The moon was already out among the twinkling stars. The white curtains ruffled softly in the gentle breeze. Reaching for the bottle of pills next to the picture of Team 7, she took two with a small sip of water. Placing her canteen down, she lifted the picture and walked to the bed. Sitting down, she gazed for a very long time, memorizing every little detail of her team. Especially the tall, dark, and brooding boy standing on the left. Sasuke-kun.

I was a fool to believe
A fool to believe

Don't worry Sakura-chan, I'll bring Sasuke back! It's the promise of a lifetime! (Naruto)

Don't worry Sakura, everything will be okay. (Kakashi)

Sakura's shoulders started to shake, lips started to tremble.

She slowly drew a thumb over Sasuke's picture, her heart slightly cracking.

Why? Why did it have to be like this? Her one true love in the clutches of Orochimaru, doomed to be taken over by the snake sannin as each day passes and her current illness. She wanted to be with him, marry him, bear his children, but it all seemed an impossible dream now. Team 7 would never ever be the same again, no matter how hard she wished for it. A tear streaked down Sakura's smooth cheek to drip down onto the glass with a soft pitter-pat. She stifled her sobs as she let herself grieve. The first step to realizing your dying is denial, anger, and then acceptance. She seemed to have skipped over the first two easily enough. All she could do was give up, right? Isn't easier when you've given up?

In that moment, Naruto would say something like, 'If you give up, all those dreams, hopes and wishes; they're gone!'

Nothing left but an empty shell, bound by nothing.

Followed by, 'Don't give up Sakura-chan! I still plan to keep my promise!'

Nothing but empty words.

Sakura had been a fool all this time, but if she was lucky, she could write the last ten pages.

That night, Sakura didn't have dreams about Sasuke, nor about anything at all.

Yes, it all ends today
Today's the day when dreaming ends

/Slight Time-skip/

Sakura watched as Naruto tried to eat with one hand.

"Itai!" Naruto groused as the pasta slipped off his chopsticks and splashed back into the bowl.

"It's hard to eat with my left hand," Naruto glared at his beloved ramen.

Sakura's gaze landed on Naruto's bandaged right arm.

"There are multiple fractures… your body couldn't hold up against the jutsu. This new jutsu should only be used when you know you got them!"

Of course Sakura was concerned about him and berated him thoroughly.

Naruto just grinned, "Hehe, it'll be fine as long as you heal it…"

"That's not what I'm saying! Medical ninjutsu can't heal every injury right away!" Her brows knitted in anger, a frown marring her features.

Naruto gave her a long smile before speaking, "It makes me kind of happy…"

Sakura's face relaxed as her lips parted in wonder, "Huh?"

"It feels like we are getting closer to Sasuke, together." Naruto always knew what to say to cheer Sakura up or make her feel good.

She smiled, scooting her chair closer.

"I guess it can't be helped," Sakura's lashes lowered as she gave him a sly smile, "give me your chopsticks."

Naruto was shell-shocked to say the least, a blush adorning his face.

Co-could it be? Sakura-chan is going to feed me….

Of course Sai is the master of bad timing, and offered Naruto a mouthful of ramen.

"Open Wiiide!"

"Ow! It's hot and on top of that, it's not supposed to be you!" Naruto yelled out, scaring those who were passing by the ramen stand.

Sakura giggled, today she was feeling a little better.

"Hey," Kakashi lifted up the flap and peeked his head in.

"When a friend is in need, a true friend helps them. That's what the book.."

"Forget the stupid book, read the situation. The situation!"

Naruto and Sai were having a small spat as Sakura was the first to notice the copy ninja.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura was happy that he had been released from the hospital.

"Mmm? It's so noisy over here," Kakashi was similar to Sasuke in many ways. He liked quiet, calm, and non-hyper places.

It begs the question why he is best friends with Konoha's beautiful green beast also known as Maito Gai. The green spandex loving shinobi was very loud, overly hyper and spouted about youth non-stop. They say opposites attract and in this case, it must be true. Though the world may never know.

Sakura couldn't resist a bit of teasing, "You're not in a hospital bed this time. That's unusual… Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi replied in a sardonic tone, "Right now.. that's how you all see me…. I'm shocked…"

He changed the subject over to the last battle they had over the Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu. Kakashi again mentioned how strong Naruto was and that he was on par with him. Sakura's eyes slid to the counter top, ignored and underestimated again. She would have to see Tsunade later and ask the Godiame to further her training. If it was anything she hated more than losing, it was being left behind. Forcing down morbid and dark feelings, she put a passable fake smile on her lips, listening to her teammates chatter.

End of chapter 2