Sasuke and Naruto were bewildered. Sakura was severely injured. The darkness of night seemed to swallow her. They rushed to her…as fast as they could.
"Sakura-chan!!" Naruto shouted while running towards her.
Sasuke was the first one to get to Sakura. He took her and laid her in his arms so her head was resting against Sasuke's chest.
"Sasuke-kun…" she uttered softly.
When Naruto was already beside Sakura, the two boys glanced at their surrounding and were surprised when they saw that Kabuto was standing there in a distance.
"YOU!!" growled Naruto. "You did this to her, didn't you?!"
Kabuto gave him an evil smile, "This is gonna be the end of her life…"
"Shut up!" shouted Sasuke. Then the two ignored him; they somehow knew that Kabuto was not going to attack them because his priority is to help Orochimaru—who was already weakened and exhausted.
Kabuto went to Orochimaru to aid him…then they decided to retreat because Orochimaru needed to rest and to strengthen his body.
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto saw where Sakura was hit. The wound was on her left side. It was a severe wound. And blood was continuously flowing from there.
"Sakura… At this rate…" Sasuke was interrupted by Sakura.
"It's okay…" she said in a soft voice.
"No, Sakura-chan, this isn't okay… You need to be treated immediately. Wait, you can heal yourself, right?"
"Yes…but…"
"But, what?" asked Sasuke.
"…I've already used up all my chakra…and I don't have enough to heal this wound…"
"No! That can't be!" Naruto shook his head. "No, Sakura-chan, there could be some other way!"
"I'm really sorry…" she said. Then she started to cough out blood.
"Sakura!" Sasuke said worriedly. "We need to get out of here immediately."
"Yes, Sasuke's right," agreed Naruto.
"No… I won't be able to… I'm…I'm already weak…and I only have a little bit of chakra…" she said in a weak voice.
"No, Sakura…" tears built up from Sasuke's eyes.
"You can't leave us… No, Sakura-chan…please…don't," added Naruto, who was obviously trying to stop his tears from coming out, but in the end, he wasn't able to.
"You two…" Sakura said in a very soft, caring voice. "You need to be strong… You're journey doesn't end here…" she coughed. The two boys wanted to stop her, but somehow they wanted to listen to what she has to say. "You know…" she said while looking at Sasuke, "I am very grateful...to see you…and Naruto together…I've waited so long…for this to happen… Thank you… Sasuke-kun…" then she gave him a soft smile. She then shifted her eyes towards Naruto. "You're not an immature, childish ninja anymore…you've already grown up…I can see it… But Naruto…you need to be stronger…to achieve your dreams…" then she also gave him a smile. She wanted to say more but her strength wouldn't allow her.
She spoke with a voice so soft, yet weak… It's really painful, but the two started to realize that this would be their last moment with their beloved Sakura. She looked so frail… She's covered with her own blood which made her skin so pale… Though she's in pain, she kept giving them her beautiful smile…
They wanted to give her a reply…but they knew she doesn't have much time left. Sakura uttered her last words for them… "Sasuke-kun… Naruto-kun… You two…are very important to me… Take care of yourselves…" her voice sounded so frail, "…I'll always be watching over you……I promise…" And then she died.
The break of dawn came. And it seemed that the emergence of the sun concluded Sakura's death. The sun shone on them. The light showed how pale her face became. Her beautiful smile was gone… Her emerald eyes can't be seen anymore… Her porcelain skin was covered with blood… Her whole body was…lifeless…
"SAKURA!!!!" the two shouted so loud, that it echoed over the place. But this time, she didn't answer back.
"NO!! Sakura! Sakura! Wake up!!" Naruto shouted, "Please…wake up..." his tears began to burst out.
The two of them knew that she won't come back to life, but it's too painful to accept. And they would never accept it.
Sasuke, who was holding Sakura, cried so much for the first time in his life. Seeing Sakura like that broke his heart—his heart that was as hard as stone felt something that made him feel grief.
"Sakura… Sakura…no…Sakura…" Sasuke uttered as tears fell down from his eyes. Nothing can describe this pain. And whatever he does now, he won't be able to return her life.
The two cried so hard. They were drowned in tears… Sadness… Grief… Sorrow… And for Sasuke, remorse…
After a few moments, they felt the ground rumbling.
"What's happening?" asked Naruto, as he surveyed their surroundings. And before he could say another word, the ground where they were standing unexpectedly exploded.
The sound was so loud. Smoke and dust were suspended in the air because of it.
When Naruto opened his eyes, he noticed that he was lying [on a bed. "Where am I?" he asked himself. Then he sat up; he saw that he was in a room. "Wait! I'm in a hospital!" He stood up and went close to the door. But before he could open it, someone else did and entered the room.
"Oh, Naruto, you're already awake!" greeted the person.
"T—Tsunade-sama? What are you doing here?"
"To visit you, of course! What else? You seem fine… How are you feeling now?"
"I…I'm feeling alright…no need to worry..."
"Do you know you've been sleeping for a week now?"
"A week?"
"Yes, you looked so tired. You didn't have so much wounds, but…you were really exhausted…"
"Wait, where are the others? Where's Sasuke? And Sakura?"
Tsunade was surprised, "Um…Sasuke's outside, he just woke up a while ago… But…Sakura… Can't you remember what happened?"
Naruto tried to recall everything. Then it struck his mind. "Sakura…she's…"
"I'm sorry Naruto…"
Naruto just looked at the ground, he never gave Tsunade a reply. He went out of the room without saying anything.
Tsunade didn't stop him. If Naruto needed someone to talk to, she figured out she couldn't be it. At this time, he needs someone who just feels the same way he feels…Sasuke.
She looked out at the window in that room, she saw Naruto approach Sasuke. She wanted to see what would happen, but she supposed it was not right, so she just went back at her office.
"Hey…"
Sasuke turned to look back. It was Naruto. "Hey…you're awake now, huh."
"Yeah, how are you?"
"Fine."
"Why are you still here? Aren't you supposed to go back at your house?"
"I live alone, so no one would be there. I…I just dpn't want to be alone at this time…"
"Yeah…I understand what you're feeling…"
"Would you want to take a walk?" offered Sasuke.
"Sure…"
The two walked around the town a bit. Then they stopped at the bridge where Team 7 used to meet.
"Feels nostalgic, doesn't it?" said Naruto.
"Yeah… This place is so quiet now," answered Sasuke as he walked up the bridge and leaned on the railing.
"You remember her?"
"Yeah…and I know you do too…"
Silence surrounded them. The serene ambience made them feel sadder… Only the sound of the wind and the flow of the stream were all they could hear.
Thoughts of Sakura filled their minds. Her laughs…her smiles…her voice…everything about her…
"You miss her, don't you…" said Naruto.
"Who wouldn't…" he sighed, "If I could just turn time…"
"You know that's impossible."
"It was my fault…"
"Sasuke…"
"Yes, it is… You know, Naruto, I really feel remorse… I think that if I hadn't done those things…all of these wouldn't have happened… I was all my fault…I do blame myself… but I guess it's too late now…there's nothing I could do anymore…I could never bring her to life again…"
Naruto saw how Sasuke's been hurt…and how he really meant those words… He too feels deep sorrow that can never be removed…
"I understand you… I know it's hard for you…I feel also the same sadness that you have right now…but I don't think you should blame yourself for everything that had happened…it's not your fault…and I don't think Sakura would be happy to hear that you blame yourself…"
"But…it is!"
"Sasuke…" Naruto went to the railing opposite of Sasuke and leaned also. "You know…losing her…was so difficult for me… Do you even know what I feel? She went with Orochimaru because she wanted to be with you…not me… That was so painful for me…knowing the girl I love doesn't feel the same way about me… But it's fine for me…if she's happy, I'll be happy too… Because I have already decided, whether she loves me or not, I'm gonna stay by her side and protect her no matter what…but look…I wasn't able to do anything…she died in front of my very eyes…" Naruto's eyes were starting to show tears, he didn't want Sasuke to see him cry again so he walked away from him. "I'm going back…I—I'll see you later…"
Sasuke was left there alone, he just stared at the stream aimlessly…when suddenly a cherry blossom petal fell on the water…and it snapped Sasuke out of his daze… Then he remembered the time when Sakura was saying her last words for them…
"…I'll always be watching over you……I promise…"
"Sakura… If I could just tell you how much I care… I have given you so much pain. I never thought that because of me you'll end up like this… If I just knew that this would happen…I wouldn't have left Konoha. I should've stayed with you…in that way…we could be happy together… I'm really sorry…I feel remorse…and I'll blame myself 'til the last of my breath that I wasn't able to do anything for you… I'm really, really sorry… There's so many things that I want to make up for…but I guess I won't be able to do that now… Sakura…I wasn't able to tell you this…but…I love you...I loved you ever since… Sakura…I'll keep you in my heart forever…" said Sasuke.
Back at the hospital, Naruto went to his room. He didn't want to talk to anyone else; he wanted to be alone for a while. And while he was sitting at his bed, someone knocked at the door.
"Come in." said Naruto.
"Hey."
"Oh, it's you Shikamaru."
"How're you?"
Naruto didn't answer him, he seemed fine physically, but Shikamaru knew that Naruto was broken down deep inside.
"Well, I see you're alright. Don't worry, things will eventually go back to normal."
"No, it wouldn't," he coldly said.
Shikamaru understood what he meant. Of course, everything wouldn't be the same again because they lost a friend—and for Naruto, someone very important. He decided to go out of the room and leave Naruto alone.
Sasuke and Naruto had the same feeling. They don't know how to get on with life after what happened. Sakura was gone and it's not just something so easy to get over with. Losing her was like losing everything they both had. She's not just a teammate, a comrade, or anything like that. She's someone far more important.
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade, Kakashi, and Jiraiya were talking.
"What do you think those two are going to do?" asked Tsunade.
"Who knows?" commented Jiraiya.
"Those two had gone so many tragedies in their lives. And they were able to get through that. But this one…" Kakashi paused before continuing, "They lost a person they valued more than anyone in this world… And to make things worse, her body wasn't found."
"Do those two know that already?" asked Jiraiya.
"I think so… They haven't spoken so much yet, but I figured out that they've been asking some people what happened after they went unconscious," answered Tsunade.
"I see… This event would cause them extreme pain…but I believe…eventually, those two would be able to overcome this… Those two kids are strong enough to do that… It'll take time, but it'll pass away… We just need to be here to support them in every way we can," stated Kakashi.
The two nodded in agreement.
Days had passed but Sakura's remains was still couldn't be found. Tsunade decided to hold a burial service for her even if there was no body. Many people who were dear to Sakura came, including Naruto and Sasuke. All of her friends were there, even her teacher—Kakashi. Everyone was sad, and the fact that her remains weren't found gave them the feeling that they really lost someone so dear to them.
After the service was held, Sasuke and Naruto stayed at the site. They couldn't seem to leave her. The feeling of grief still occupied them. They never talked to anyone else ever since they got out of the hospital. The two of them were always seen together but the look on their faces never changed a bit. They never smiled since that day. Naruto, who was always so cheerful and merry, became so gloomy and blue; he never laughed nor smiled, he was always so silent…very different from what he used to be. Losing Sakura turned his world upside down. And Sasuke, who always been so proud and arrogant, seemed to be a nicer person now, but he's still quiet. And you could see the sadness and sorrow in his eyes.
One time, the two visited Sakura's grave.
As they stood in front of her tombstone, Naruto asked Sasuke, "Do you think we would ever see her again?"
"I wonder…" he said with a very light voice. "You know, deep in my mind, I still wish that she would someday come back. That's why I think I am silently waiting for her. It's like somehow I know she's here somewhere…"
"Just watching over us, right?" added Naruto. "I get that feeling too… A cherry blossom like her wouldn't just wilt away so easily…she's a strong one…never giving up…"
"Yeah… That's why I know…she'll return…"
"You really do believe that?"
"Of course…I just don't tell anyone because I know they won't believe me…" said Sasuke.
"I believe you."
"I know…" Sasuke gave him a light smile.
"We'll wait for her… She'll definitely return…someday…" Naruto said while he looked up at the sky with a smile.
THE END
Well, that was it! Sorry if it took so long… And forgive me if there are some spelling and grammatical errors. Sorry also for doing that to Sakura. I love her so much, but I needed to do that for this story. So…what do you think? Leave your reviews okay? So I'll know… BTW, things wouldn't just end up this way, I'm now writing a second part for this… So I hope you would look forward to that. THANKS EVERYONE!! SEE YAH!