Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 5: Empty

Sakura looked at the piece of parchment before her. She held the brush gingerly in her fingertips while gritting her teeth. She didn't know what to write. Her training was horrible. It was so difficult to wrap her mind around the techniques Lady Tsunade was teaching her. She was smart, always had been. Between her and the others in team seven, she had been the first to focus her chakra to her feet in order to climb the tree. Thinking of it filled her with pride. But this was different. She had never been the one to be first in combat… Naruto and Sasuke had always been stronger, more powerful. She had always felt weak around them. Tsunade would have none of it. She would make a lioness of the timid Sakura. Sakura was trying her hardest. Learning to be assertive in battle was like learning to write with her other hand, thus the brush now cradled in her fingers. Perhaps if she could master a new way of using her body, she could master a new way of thinking. But which came first, master over mind or body?

She leaned away from the desk and sighed. Writing would be easier if she had the words. Tsunade had given her the task of writing a faux patient diagnoses. Sakura could invent the details… but at the moment she was lacking inspiration. In fact, she had no energy at all. She felt empty. Sakura needed filling. She was trying to allow Tsunade's teachings fill her, consume her, but it didn't feel like enough. She needed Naruto, she needed Sasuke. She needed Sasuke. It was then that her brush found the paper.

The brush flowed across the paper with ease even though she didn't use her dominate hand. As her wrist continued to paint the words, tears gushed from her eyes and her breath came in gasps and gulps. After a few minutes, she lifted her hand and read what she had written. The words were anger and desperation…

Sakura sneered. He would always be her inspiration.

After letting the ink dry, she rolled up the scroll, tied it and set it aside. She stretched her arms and arched her back making it pop. Yawning, she decided that Tsunade's assignment could wait a little longer. She pushed back from the table and stood. It was very late into the night, but it didn't matter… sleep had been a resentful friend lately, ignoring Sakura's pleads for it to return. Her face showed it. She walked to her bed and lay down, not even bothering to change. She would have to be up in two hours anyway to meet with Tsunade. She groaned. When would she be allowed a break? And then she felt a twinge of guilt as she considered what Sasuke might be experiencing. He was in a much worse place. Sakura's brows met in determination. She would train as diligently as possible, so she could one day have the strength to rescue her dear friend.

Sasuke scowled. Orochimaru droned on about the art of deception.

"Are you listening to me, Uchiha?" Orochimaru said glibly.

"Hn."

"Good." He smiled and then his purple tongue drew itself over his lips. "Pay close attention to what I have to say… or I just may have to punish you." He said too cheerfully.

Sasuke glared. You would know all about deception. Even now…

Though he heard every word that his master spoke, Sasuke's mind wandered. Of course, he didn't allow his face to show it. He thought of his days spent training with team seven. It had been difficult, but fun. This was difficult and horrible. It was however, bringing results. He was learning to use his body in new and more efficient ways. His strength was growing and his power increasing. He had always been intelligent… beyond intelligent, but he was learning new things. It was enriching. It was immensely satisfying to feel himself becoming more.

Yet… something was lacking. For all his intelligence, Sasuke could be very stupid at times. He realized what he needed, yet he refused the need. Companionship. Friends. Love. They were essential human needs, and his life was void of them. Orochimaru was a cruel teacher and Kabuto was no better. All the other people who served were simply pawns, as he knew he was. They only cared to further their standing in Orochimaru's eyes. Sasuke could care less about the monster's favor, he already had it. He just wanted Orochimaru's power. Even so, he couldn't help but wonder what might've happened had he stayed in Konoha. If he had listen to Kakashi and given up his drive for revenge… would he be happy? He doubted it. Nothing would make him happier than to avenge the Uchiha clan… and destroy Itachi.

He had been told that Naruto and Sakura had found their original hide out. They had come searching for him… failing obviously to retrieve him. Annoying. How many times would he have to explain that he chose to go to Orochimaru? They didn't understand. How could they? Naruto didn't know what it was like to have bonds and then lose them… well—Sasuke smirked—he did now. And Sakura didn't know anything about loneliness. She didn't know anything about that pain or the need for power. Even if she had claimed so in her letter… he knew that Kakashi was there looking out for her. She truly wasn't alone. And what of the others? They were all there, weren't they? Why did she need him and Naruto? Why did she need him? Love? Surely not. She didn't know what real love was, she was too young to know what real love is. She only ever tried to get attention… to further her standing in his opinion. If she truly loved him, she would have willed herself to let him leave, to let him do what was best for himself. Revenge was best. Maybe one day she would understand that.

"Is there a problem?" Orochimaru asked in irritation.

"No." Sasuke replied.

"Really? You seem too destracted."

Sasuke glared and Orochimaru threw a right hook that connected with the arrogant pupil's jaw. Sasuke spit blood from his cut tongue, but he looked back at his master, his stare as stony as before.

"You can't hide anything from me, Sasuke Uchiha." Orochimaru said venomously. And then he ran his fingers over Sasuke's reddening cheek. "Pay attention." He said with a smile.

That night, another hawk came and dropped a message into Sasuke's open hand. He rolled his eyes, knowing it was from Sakura again. He'd received two others already… she was the only one who wrote to him. He found it odd.

"Whatever,"

Without reading it, he tossed the note onto his desk. He lay on his bed and began his meditation for the night. However, the messenger hawk hadn't moved. In fact, it sat there, staring at him accusingly. Sasuke opened one eye and glared at the bird.

"What?"

It squawked and then pecked at the scroll.

"I suppose you won't go away until I read it?"

The hawk chirped and blinked.

"Fine." He grumbled.

Dear Sasuke,

How are you? I've been thinking about you a lot lately. Of course, you knew that. I'm worried about you, about your safety. But, I don't really know how you are. So I thought that if I asked a question, maybe you would write me back. Do you truly want to be with that snake? I find it hard to believe that you chose to go to the one who cursed you. I find it hard to understand a lot of things right now.

Training is difficult. Lady Fifth Tsunade is teaching me everything she knows. It's very difficult to embrace what she's teaching me. I find it hard to concentrate on anything with you gone. Actually, the times my mind is clearest are when I'm writing to you.

Where are you? Won't you tell me? I can come and find you. We could be together again. I know it's not what you want. But do you really think that revenge is best? I know that it's what you've been living for all your life, but there was a time when you were happy with us… Naruto, Kakashi and me. When you've had your revenge, what will be left? What will you have to live for? You'll only be left empty. But, if you turn away, if you come back… you could have something new to live for.

I miss you. Please, tell me where you are.

All my love, always,

Sakura

Sasuke's brows met as he read the letter. Sakura's words echoed what Kakashi had told him long ago. He smirked.

"Whatever."

He rolled up the scroll and threw it in the top drawer with the others. The hawk stared at him for a moment.

"Go away." Sasuke said and the bird took off down the hall.

Sakura lay in the grass after a long day of training. The clouds floated blissfully through the blue sky. It had been a long time since she had taken the time to simply enjoy nature… much too long. That's when she saw the messenger hawk returning. She sat up and stared, hope swelling in her chest. And then, when the bird continued without landing, it was as if his very talons dug into her hope. She lowered her head and sighed. Maybe one day he'll respond to her.

A/N Sorry it took so long. Geeze, I've been completely engrossed in this story called "Of Fate and the Unexpected" by Paige O.o I love it! Anyhow, I've been reading like crazy and totally neglected my story. Which is sad, 'cause I totally call myself a writer... so much for that. So thanks for all the kind reviews! I'm always super excited to see that you guys like it. So what'd you think of this chapter? R&R please. :D