Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I do own the plot, along with some members of the cast.

Chapter Ten: Wasted

Throw on your break lights
We're in the city of wonder
Ain't gonna play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise

Sasuke opened his eyes in the familiar dark only this time there was no other person to greet him. Kakashi explained that Sasuke would only see the memories crucial to the forming of Sakura's current personality. Sasuke sighed as he looked around the empty void. "By this time, Sakura's got to be close to the end. And if I don't catch up soon she'll turn into ghost before I even have a chance to save her." Sasuke mumbled bitterly, biting his thumb. Sasuke perked up when he saw a flash of something glowing out the corner of his eye. He turned and saw Sakura, but not the Sakura he knew. This Sakura was so much different it was both beautiful and repulsive at the same time.

Her long pink tresses were tied back in a bun with two elegantly decorated blue chopsticks sticking them together. A little string of lighter blue beads trailed from the top on each stick for maybe three centimeters. She wore a long lavender kimono with light silver swirls like vines curved all along her petite form. The sash around the middle didn't break this pattern either, matching perfectly with the crawling silver threads. Her bamboo sandals revealed her small feet with a light blue shade to the toe nails. Her face was the most startling feature. Her eyes were void of pupils, making them seem soulless and a small smile turned her pink rose lips upward. She was extremely pale, at least three skin tones lighter than Demon Sakura. She looked amazing, stunning really, but it also gave her a haunting aura. If this was Sakura a long time ago, why was she here and not falling through her own existence? She twirled around, looking to her right. A flicker of motion appeared and a memory came to view. A building on fire. Sasuke saw Sakura, maybe five or six, screaming and trying to pull away from the older man holding her. "No! Mommy and Daddy are in there! They'll die if you don't save them! Please!" She shrieked, her voice becoming hoarse with overuse. The older man did not release her from him though. He merely tucked her head under his chin and tried to calm her sobbing form as her parents and home turned into nothing more than dust in the wind.

The memory faded and the ghoulish Sakura began floating toward the direction the screen had appeared from. Sasuke gulped. "Are you trying to help me?" He asked out loud. She turned and looked at him, her eyes obviously useless but her lip quirked open slightly in confusion. She then began to float onward and Sasuke trailed after her. "I don't know why you're doing this, but thank you." He stated as he followed. A soft musical giggle echoed from her as they drifted together in the black void. Suddenly she stopped abruptly. Another screen seemed to appear.

Sakura, still so young, was crying under a willow tree. A funeral was being held for both of her parents. She was well hidden, adults calling and looking for the missing child. Suddenly, another figured popped right out of the shrub near her. Sakura jerked up, jade eyes wide with fear and new tears. It looked just like Karin without her glasses as a child. The little girl wore a long black kimono, the attire for such a tragic event back then. "So you're Haruno Sakura. Poor thing, losing everything in one go around like that. Must have really sucked." She stated casually, as if discussing the weather. Little Sakura let out a small keening noise before sobbing again. The Karin-look-alike blinked, then growled and bopped Sakura on the head. "Baka! Your parents gave their lives to save you and you sit here bawling like a baby? They would want you to be happy and live your life for them! Make them proud of you! Make their sacrifice worth it!" She snapped with a pout. Sakura looked up, tears still running down her face, and seemed puzzled. The other girl patted where she'd struck her moments before. "My name is Koizumi Minako. From now on you'll be living with my family so put on a happy face and be happy!" She ordered. A small smile flickered across little Sakura's lips and she giggled as the memory evaporated into the black current around them.

Sasuke blinked and watched her. She just floated there, as if thinking about her next move. She tenderly touched her chest, right above her heart, before drifting on. Sasuke followed and reaching Sakura's next memory was a long stride. He guessed that the ghost wanted some more time to pass and show him the memories he was suppose to see. She halted again and Sasuke almost hit her. He jumped back slightly, not a single portion of him coming in contact with her. He wondered, briefly, if she was transparent or if he'd feel her there. He then looked at the scene presented to him.

It had been a few years, judging by Sakura's appearance. She matched with the ghost, aside from the outfit. She wore a dark blue kimono instead of the elaborate silks she wore in her closest form. In the scene, it appeared to be spring, Sakura and Minako were lounging in a cherry blossom tree field together. The sun was skimming in through the leaves. "Oh Minako, I wish the summer would never end!" A soft musical voice cheered. She jumped to her feet and looked over at the scarlet haired beauty beside her. "Minako, we'll always be best friends, right?" Sakura piped worriedly. The other girl sat up and looked at her. It was then Sasuke realized who she was. It was the ghost that had caused all this mess to begin with, wearing that kimono that accented her curses beautifully, made her hair look darker and more exotic, made her eyes look a shade lighter and more innocent. The other girl smiled and held out her pinky. "Let's pinky promise on it, like when we were little! That way we'll always be together!" Minako stated happily in the mature and womanly voice of hers. Past Sakura nodded happily and grinned, linking her smallest finger with the other girl's.

Sasuke blinked. "You seem so happy here. Did you die of old age or illness or an accident…" Sasuke stopped as the ghost shook her head at each one he presented. He paused, took a deep breath and swallowed before he spoke again. "Murder?" Another shake of her head. He could think of only on other thing. "Was it…Did you commit suicide, Sakura?" She finally nodded, her form disappearing for a moment before returning. "But, how could that be?! You're so happy here and!" He stopped.

"Things can change in a matter of seconds. You know that. Your life can come tumbling down with the snap of the fingers. You should understand just as well as I." Her voice was hollow and dead. No, dead wasn't the word he was thinking, it was hopeless. Her words spurred memories of his own, however. He remembered the call, waking up that day with the hopes of hearing from his mother that they'd made it safely to Hawaii. Instead, he got an earful of a stotic man telling him how his parents died when the plane malfunctioned. Apparently the workers didn't put enough fuel in the plane and all control was lost. It spiraled head first into the dark depths of the ocean and just as it hit the water it exploded. He shook his head as memories of burying two empty coffins made him shutter. He needed to focus, otherwise he'd lose Sakura too. And for some reason that thought frightened him.

He followed her to another flickering silver screen. The two were walking down a crowded shop way. Minako suddenly gasped and ducked behind Sakura. "Sakura, look over there! It's Sai!" She gasped. Sasuke's eyes widened as he watched the messenger shinagami, now clad in a long blue haori with matching bottom. He was examining a painting that vendor was showing off. "Oh Sakura! He's so beautiful and intelligent and just so amazing! I would give anything to be courted by him!" Minako gushed, her eyes forming into pink hearts while Sakura sweat dropped.

"I honestly don't see what's so great about him. He's quiet, pompous, rich, considers himself important because he's a painter, uses women like handkerchiefs, and when he does speak he's extremely rude! All men with dark hair and eyes to match are worthless and make for shameful husbands." She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Sai. Sasuke felt his eyes twitch as he thought about her words carefully. 'So…Does that mean you're a hypocrite, Sakura-Chan?' He thought in slight anger. He then returned to watching her wordlessly.

Minako looked completely stunned. She opened her mouth to speak when they froze as Sai walked over to them. "Hello Koizumi-Dono. I hope you've been well." He stated with his charismatic smile in place. Minako's face turned pink and she giggled like a school girl.

"Why yes, Sai-Kun! In fact, I've been getting ready to choose my suitor." She hummed, a devilish smirk in place behind her hand. Sakura sighed and turned her head, looking over at some fans being sold at a booth close to her. Sasuke almost laughed as Sakura ignored the scene, not thinking her to be the type to not snoop over another's conversation.

"And the one you choose will surely be a lucky man, Koizumi-Dono." Sai stated happily. Her face fell and both Sasuke and Sakura fought back fits of giggles. So both of them found her attempt to woo pathetic! "I actually wanted to speak with you, Sakura-San." He stated. Sakura twitched, seeming too bothered by his familiarity with her.

"About what, Takechi-Sama?" She asked, using his last name to show how very close they really were. She didn't even turn away from the fans to speak. Minako was startled, but watched hopefully. She seemed to be hoping Sakura really would diss and dismiss Sai.

"I need a model for my work. I would like to use you, because of your peculiar hair color, and would pay you a fairly hefty sum." He stated happily. Sakura picked up a fan and began examining it thoroughly before looking at him from the side.

"How hefty of a sum are you offering?" She asked as she paid for the light red and white Uchiwa fan she'd been fondling. Sasuke blinked slightly, remembering his mother once saying that back during this time the signal of the Uchiha family was that same Uchiwa crest. Did Sakura know, or was there a reason?

"How much would you like?" Sai asked with his graceful smile in place. Minako looked like she'd enjoy wringing Sakura's thin pale throat. Sakura fanned herself a little, thinking very carefully.

"I want 15000 yen per picture." She stated flatly. Minako watched, stunned, as Sai agreed and told Sakura to head to his house tomorrow around noon to begin. She gaped, mouth open like a fish. Sakura looked at her, then reached over and popped Minako's mouth shut. "It's very rude to stare at people like that, Koizumi-Dono." She snickered, using Sai's term for her.

Minako growled. "How could you agree to that? If you'd said no he might have asked me!" She wailed. Sakura rolled her eyes and began walking again. Minako walked beside her, glaring at her while she pouted.

"I need some money, Mina-Chan. I told you about my reoccurring dream, right?" She asked excitedly. Mina sighed and nodded, dropping her arms to her side.

"Yes, I do. The one where there is a great wall of fire surrounding you and a boy with a Uchiwa symbol of his clothes saves you. I can't forget simply because it's the only dream you've had for almost a year now." She giggled softly. Sakura smiled and looked at her fan.

"That's why I need the money. Maybe if I travel around with this fan, leave Tokyo, I'll find the family this belongs to! Then I'll find my dream guy!" Sakura gushed happily, lightly kissing the little paper fan. The two began chatting happily about how they'd marry their soul mates and always be friends. It then disappeared and Sasuke blinked slightly. What did that dream really mean? He was more confused than ever now. The Ghost Sakura that had been leading him handed him a fan identical to the one from the memory. He looked at it, then her. She turned and began walking again. As she walked she slowly disappeared.

Sasuke's eyes widened and he ran after her. "Wait! I need your help! Wait!" He called, reaching out to grab her. She was gone by then, turning into a small puff of smoke. Sasuke growled lightly and looked down at the fan in his hands. He turned, and took off running. He just kept going until he was in front of another screen.

Sakura was being attacked by a gang of girls. Minako stood a little behind, smirking. "You really shouldn't have modeled for Sai. Now he's only interested in you, Sakura. You aren't even worth his admiration. You've done nothing to earn it. "We were best friends. The minute you decided that you loved him, you became my worst enemy Sakura." She giggled, reaching into her kimono sleeve and pulling out a small knife. She walked over while two other girl's held the beaten Sakura up by her arms.

Sakura looked up, emerald eyes terrified. "No, Mina-Chan, I don't have any feeling for Takechi-Sama! The whole time I was there I did nothing but speak in highest regards to you! I have my own out there somewhere!" Sakura cried, struggling in vain against the others. Minako giggled and unsheathed the silver instrument and knelt beside Sakura.

"All you're doing is whoring yourself out to escape. You really are a coward, always have been. Ever since that fire when your parents died you've wanted to leave this place. You'll never find this dream guy of yours even if you do flee from here. Just run away, Sa-ku-ra! He'll never love you anyway! And now, I'm going to make sure nobody ever does!" She laughed happily. Sasuke watched, stomach clenching violently as Minako used the blade to hack at Sakura's face. He looked away, wishing to block out the sound of blood hitting the dirt, Sakura's screams and the laughs of the other eight or nine girls. As he turned back the screen flickered away. He was left with the image of Sakura in a pool of blood, sobbing and still screaming slightly.

He gulped and froze. "Sakura lived through all that? She killed herself so that wasn't the end of her. There's more." He mumbled and gulped. He walked this time, not wanting to run the risk of skipping any memories. He had a small hunch he'd run through a couple. The next one he reached seemed to be the end of Sakura's humanity.

A hooded figure with a ceramic cat mask on was walking away from the lights of paper lanterns in Tokyo. A katana was strapped to the person's hip. Another shadowed figure was close behind. It was Minako, wearing the crimson colored silk kimono. "Sakura, please, I need you to stay! Mother and Father and my brothers are all dead! I-I don't want to be alone! Please Sakura! You know what it's like to be isolated without family, right?" She pleaded, a small hopeful smile through her tears. Slowly, the hooded figure halted and turned.

"Of course I understand, Minako. The reason I do…Is because of what you did to me!" She screamed loudly, not removing the mask. Minako's eyes widened slightly, cringing when Sakura snapped at her. "I have no chance at happiness now! I had to use all the money I earned over these years to pay for the hospital bills! And even now, I'm plagued with these horrid scars! I can't remove this mask, because if I do I'll frighten people! I can't even get a job because nobody will hire a disfigured girl like me! I'll never have a family, a life, any of it because of your selfishness!" She cried out and Sasuke could hear the sobs in her voice.

"I-I acted too quickly. I spoke to Sai and he told me that everything you told me was the truth. I-I can never apologize enough. But, please, can we put the past behind us?" She asked softly, offering her hand and smiling weakly. Sasuke growled. This woman deserved no forgiveness. Sakura was reaching for the katana and both Sasuke and Minako's eyes widened. "Sakura, don't! I'm sorry! I can't loose you too Sakura, not you! Don't you dare!" She shrieked. It was too late though, Sakura had reached her limits.

Sasuke vaguely heard her words. "Pretty little katana, end my pointless suffering." She murmured before plunging the long sword right into her heart. Sasuke watched as her body fell to the ground, limp and bloody. The mask shattered and he saw all the scars. If he didn't recognize her voice and known these were her memories, the severity of the scars would have made her an unfamiliar person. They weaved over her pale flesh as complexly as a spider web but were slightly bulged, as if they feel like little hills under the caress of someone's finger tips. Sasuke growled and turned away and took off running, determined to find Sakura. No matter what her past had been like she deserved a brighter future. And Sasuke was now willing to admit that he wanted to be a part of that future.

TBC

Yeah, that's right! Cliffies! Okay, little news flash peeps! From now on, Mondays will be the updating days! On the weekends I have oodles of hours to work since I have no job yet. So I can finish chapters. So yeah, make sure to check on Tuesday for my Monday updates! Well, on to the next chapter! Until then!