Disclaimer: I'll own Naruto if the author gives me the copyright. Unfortunately he didn't

The Konoha ninjas had exausted themselves in the fruitless attempt to find Naruto. Sai's ink owl had come back without news, both Pakkun and Akamaru did not succeed in relocating Naruto's track and Rock Lee nearly got a cramp and a sore throat for running around yelling Naruto's name. All the five kages were informed but they still don't have any idea where the kyuubi host is. They were relieved as they have just found a safe spot for the hachibi host to hide, but anxiety rose again upon hearing the information. They drew two conclusions based on Kakashi's explaination. One, Madara caught him while he tried to escape. Two, Death caught him after he performed the jutsu.

Sakura was the only one who refused to give up on the search for his teammate. The night was closing in, and all ninjas crave for a break, but the pink haired kunoichi was restless, trying to think of a way to find her lost comrade. Looks like you got Naruto's determination, mused Kakashi, and his temper.

Suddenly, the white fang's son jolted as he felt a disturbance in the air. As expected, Tobi solidified out of nowhere right next to him. This time, with everyone on alert, he didn't go unnoticed.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO NA-RU-TO!!!!!" She stressed each syllable of Naruto's name while charging at Tobi, attempting to aim a punch at him. Madara dodged without any effort, Sakura nearly got Kakashi who held her off at the nick of time, and both of them lost their balance. Luckily Madara wasn't in the mood to fight back.

"Looks like you haven't found that bastard either." His angry voice, barely above a whisper, was heard behind his mask.

Sakura was relieved at the news. That's it. She thought. I knew you won't get caught. But she panicked again at the thought of the second conclusion. No. Impossible. She shook away the thought firmly. He'll never be killed that easily.

"Where is Naruto?" Kankurou demanded. The other kages closed in menacingly.

"If you guys didn't find him, it must mean," he paused, and continued through clenched teeth, "Well, you know what I mean."

Sakura gasped. Everyone was just stunned. Oh well. Thanks for meddling up Madara's plan. Kakashi thought grimly.

"And you know what?" he added. "that useless Sasuke and his companion fell into the jutsu, so you can stop looking for him. At least I still got Kisame. Although there's no point to continue the plan now. " Madara was still talking, oblivious that everyone was threatening to have him captured.

"Kisame is dead." Yamato replied, eying Sakura uneasily. She stood rooted to the spot, motionless. Two death at once is quite a big hit for a girl, he thought.

"Fine then." Madara seems more frustrated than ever, "I'm just here to tell you that I won't give up on the Moon Eye Plan that easily, not until I see Naruto's body." The lone Akatsuki member dodged yet another silent attack, and retreated up a tree.

"That's all for today then." Tobi was going to disappear when finally, Sakura blurted out, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN! SASUKE'S DEAD? WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HIM? WHY! Why…" she then fell to her knees and reduced to tears, with Sai trying to comfort her and everyone staring.

The coldness of the voice pierced through her like a sword. It's so simple, so simple that it still hurts Sakura, even after many years later.

"Why not?"

******

Sakura dissolved into tears once again when she reached the Land of Fire after what seems to be ages. The news of Naruto's death spread like wild fire after they reached Konoha. No one could believe that their hero died from his own jutsu. Hinata wailed and passed out right in front of her father upon hearing it, and everyone tried to question the five-man team for the truth. Sakura managed to avoid everybody with her glare and went straight to her bedroom. The distressed kunoichi clutched her pillow and cried as much as she wanted, letting out her feelings. Sasuke was gone, now Naruto too... . He had been her moral support when her lover went after power, and he was her only hope for Sasuke to come back. He even saved her life from the once evil Gaara. And what did she give him? Nothing. I can't stop Sasuke, and I did nothing to Naruto, I only made him suffer...I'm so useless...

After spending some time thinking about her dearest teammates, she realized something. Her feelings towards Sasuke is admiration. Her feelings towards Naruto, however…was that love?