DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 10: Forlorn

Sakura couldn't open her eyes. She didn't want to. Clutching her blanket, she pulled it over her head in an attempt to hide from the sun's harsh light. Sakura didn't want to face the day or the people that came with it. But sadly, there was training to be done and Lady Tsunade wasn't a very patient woman. What would she do when (not if, for there was no doubt she would find out) she learned that Sakura hadn't completed any of her day's assignments? She probably feared her shishou more than anyone else and was unwilling to receive her wrath. So Sakura rolled out of bed and began her morning routine, albeit a little less chipper than usual. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she sluggishly made her way into the shower. As she let the scalding water pound against her back and drip down her—now red and goose bump covered—skin… she realized that the warmth did nothing to raise her spirits. Her head hung as water dripped from her blush colored hair. After rinsing all the soap from her body, she wrapped a plush towel around her. She then moved to the sink where she brushed her teeth and then applied the most minimal amount of makeup. Once her hair was no longer soaking, she took her comb and ran it through the damp strands, undoing any knots that may have been there. She didn't bother to dry her hair completely, since she enjoyed the way it curled when drying naturally. Or maybe it was because she had no energy. Why look good when she didn't feel it? She dressed in her usual scarlet attire and sluggishly made her way to the dining room.

"Sweetie, aren't you going to eat?" Sakura's mother asked.

Sakura sat with her elbow on the table and her chin propped on her palm as she poked and prodded at the food on her plate. She let out a slow drown-out sigh.

"Sakura?"

"Huh?" She replied wistfully.

"Are you going to eat your breakfast?"

Sakura looked at her breakfast, staring at it as if willing it to disappear. After a moment, she said still staring at her food, "I think I'll just head to the hospital."

"If you're sure…" her mother replied with an arched eyebrow. The concern on her face was quite obvious, but Sakura avoided all eye contact as she made her way out the front door. "That girl," Mrs. Haruno said sadly.

Sakura walked through the streets of Konoha staring up into the sky. The azure expanse felt so close and reachable while the wispy clouds floated along as if sailing upon a sea. The sun was still deep in the east, but it cast golden warmth onto the village. Sakura sighed at the sight. It all felt so mocking, as if nature were laughing at her depression. So she averted her gaze to the road and continued her steady pace to the Leaf Hospital.

It was a long day. Sakura tried so hard to focus on her work, but it was so difficult. Her mind was in a haze and it seemed she struggled with even the simplest of tasks. A few times, Ino caught her staring out the window completely ignoring her work.

"Forehead… you alright?"

Sakura turned to look at her and shrugged. "Yeah…"

"Well, I know that I'm usually the one who can't focus,"

Sakura glared at her knowing what was coming next.

Ino smiled sheepishly. "Lady Tsuande is very proud of you, you know. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you took the rest of the day off."

Sakura sighed. "No, I'm fine. Besides… if I slack off today there'll just be more to do tomorrow."

"If you say so, Forehead."

So they continued their tasks. The training was tedious and, though she was supposed to be tutoring Ino, Sakura struggled just as much as her rival. Sweat beaded at her brow and her face was tense with frustration. It had been a long time since she had struggled so much… her work was increasingly difficult, but with such mundane work…

Ino left Sakura's company before sundown. Sakura continued with her work making sure to perfect every detail so Tsunade would never know of her distracted mind. As soon as everything was finished, she put everything back in their places and packed up her equipment. She slowly made her way out of the training room and headed down the street, intending to go home. But… her feet had another destination in mind. She let her gaze drop to the cobbled street and listened to the clacking of her nin sandals against the stone. It was a hypnotizing sound that almost distracted her from her forlorn thoughts. And that's when a soft screech broke the near silence. Sakura's head whipped up towards the sky as her eyes widened in eager anticipation. There was a hawk, but it continued its flight without glancing in her direction. Her eyes softened as salty tears formed on her lashes. Sasuke had written only that once… Sakura was beginning to wonder if her letters were still getting to him. She felt so very far from him. Did he even realize?

Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes and continued walking her sluggish pace. She wondered how Naruto was. Was his training going well… was he training now? She supposed he probably was, after all, his mindset was very similar to hers. Train. Strength. Sasuke. Naruto wouldn't be sulking… at least she hoped not. He was so strong and determined. There was a fire, a passion, in him that she couldn't match. She had a different sort of passion. She felt she could reach Sasuke in a different way. Naruto could be the strength, she… she could be the love. She knew, though, that it wasn't enough. She had always been a hindrance because of such thinking. Now she was determined to show herself of some worth. Show that she was strong too.

The sky was a deep purple. Sakura's feet stopped and she looked up. The gates were a little ways in the distance and a small bench was to her right. She couldn't stop the tears. Her vision blurred and her fists clenched. Sakura fell to her knees and tried to fight the back tears, but her resolve melted. She choked on sobs as she tried not to wail. All her memories of Sasuke came back with a vengeance… especially memories of that night. She pushed the palms of her hands to her eyes, but the tears flowed more profusely. Her pink hair fell on both sides of her face, creating a curtain to hide the world from her. Her cheeks burned where the salty tears streaked. She could feel each tear drop as it left her nose, her jaw line, her chin, and dropped to the stone below. She could only hear the sobs that shook her shoulders. The pain that clenched her heart constricted her breathing, making her gasp for air. She couldn't stop, she couldn't control the hurt. She had held it in for so long… and now she was broken.

After sobbing for what seemed hours, Sakura was exhausted. She lay, curled, on the bench. Her tearstained eyes were lazy and her fingers trailed a design on the stone of the bench. An uchiwa fan. Slowly, she began to drift into a dreamless sleep.

A year ago, to date, Sasuke left Sakura unconscious on a bench.

A/N So you're all pretty lucky getting an update so quick. Couldn't help myself, I had an idea and had to write it down. Do you like? A little bit of emo on Sakura's part, but hey, I figure there's gotta be a chapter about the year anniversary. What're your opinions? By the way, thanks for all the comments. You are all AWESOME!

So I've been thinking... I may revise some of the first few chapters, give it a little more Tukiko flare. It's pretty much word for word to the show, which I liked at the time, but now I'm thinking it's a little dry. What'd you all think of little freshness? Let me know your precious thoughts. Love to hear from ya.