A/N: Eh, I was in a really depressed mood this morning and churned this out. I thought maybe if I wrote something then it'd make me feel better - but it hasn't. I was unsure to share or not, but what the hell. This is just a little drabble, kind of depressing - okay it is depressing. If you don't like it you don't have to read. Not beta read - all mistakes are mine.

-Untitled #1-

"I'm leaving."

Never had two words broken her heart like the 'thank you' spilled from her first love's lips when she was merely twelve, but these two managed to do just that.

Dumbfounded, she shook her head, her strawberry locks swaying with the motion.

"Don't … don't say that."

"I'm sorry."

Another pair of words cut through her. Her heart pounded mercilessly and she clutched at the front of her shirt, silently pleading for the organ to calm itself – or to stop altogether, for this to be a dream, just some kind of terrible nightmare she could wake from and find comfort in his strong arms.

He'd soothe her, running his fingers through her hair and once she was calm again he'd chuckle and poke fun at her for even believing such a deluded idea. And then he'd kiss her, passionately, as if to prove his case.

"Why?" she managed to ask.

"I have to."

"But … why?"

"People fall in and out of love ..."

"No."

"You'll come to realize this ..."

Her eyes prickled and brimmed with tears, blurring her vision, "No!"

"It's for the best, Sakura."

"The best?" she echoed.

She could hardly believe so. The past two years had been so happy and sure, they had their arguments like any couple, but nothing that should lead to this outcome. She blinked, feeling the hot tears carve a fresh trail down her cheeks. Her fingers curled inward, forming tight fists as she fought back against the crushing emotions.

"I wish this could have ended differently."

"Then, then why can't it? We could, if you would just talk to me and explain why, then we could-"

"No, Sakura, we couldn't."

She looked away as her chin quivered, her chest heaving as she fought back the sobs. When she spoke again, her voice sounded tiny, even to herself, "Please," her eyes closed and her tone turned pleading, "please, Kaka-"

"I can't."

"Don't make me-"

"What - scream, cry, beg?" the Jounin sighed and ran a hand through his unkempt locks, "Don't make this any harder than it already is."

"Are you saying that I can't change your mind at all?"

His quiet stare was answer enough, but it needed to be clear, "My mind has nothing to do with this."

He sounded so cold, detached and he witnessed the pained understanding flicker behind her eyes. He averted his gaze as she looked to him again.

"If you leave, I won't come running after you."

He knew this. "I don't expect you to."

"'I'll hate you."

"Ah," he scratched at the back of his neck, "I'm sure you'll find that that emotion will fade over time as well."

She hung her head. Threatening hate wouldn't work against someone that didn't love you.

"I should be going."

Sakura remained where she was, not acknowledging his words. A bit surprised (and a little relieved and a little saddened) at her lack of fighting spirit, Kakashi stuffed his hands into his pockets. Sakura refused to look at him, instead focusing on a worn sport on the rug as tears continued to silently fall.

"Goodbye, Sakura."

Her fingers twitched as the words echoed in her ears, her breath hitching. And then he was moving, his feet shifting one in front of the other, and he was walking by, stirring up the air.

His scent invaded her nostrils, subtle smells of sandalwood, soap and nature – like fresh spring grass or pine trees. With his scent came a flood of memories: healing sessions, kisses, lingering touches, lazy afternoons, time spent together in libraries, their first night together, his whispered confession of 'Because I love you … I love you, Sakura'.

And then the door closed with a thud and a click, snapping her out of her daze.

She spun around, "No, wait!"

She rushed to the door and yanked it open, stepping out. She looked left and then right, but the hallway was empty, completely deserted.

A sob tore from her throat and shook her shoulders and she slowly sank into herself, backing into her single apartment. She shut the door, pressing her back to it as the tears blinded her. No matter how many times she wiped at her eyes, the tears wouldn't stop coming.

She slid to the floor, hugging her knees to herself. These moments were best kept private. She was supposed to be one of Konoha's toughest kunoichi after all.