Sakura had crushed on Sasuke for as long as she could remember. He seemed so perfect, invincible and beyond ridicule.
She had never imagined both assumptions could be proven wrong in a single battle.
He had been a coward. Terrified beyond reason, about to give up and let the enemy win. It seemed so wrong, so... un-Sasuke. Wasn't he at the top of all his classes, praised for being the best fighter on their team? Wasn't he supposed to be fearless, prepared to leap into battle without hesitation?
And then he had been hurt. Badly. His screams of pain still echoed through Sakura's mind, sending a shiver of worry and fear down her spine. If Sasuke could be hurt this badly, what chance did she have?
Sitting in a hollowed tree, she tended to her unconscious teammates, wondering what to do. Naruto was brash and bold, never thinking before he acted, but he was also strong, always pulling through in the end. Sasuke was skillful and smart and handsome, her knight in shining armour, someone who would protect her from everything.
But now her knight was injured, and she, the princess, had to protect him.
And she did, at one point.
The reality of her situation was unavoidable. If she didn't do something, they would all die. Naruto, the loud-mouthed boy she was learning to accept; Sasuke, the not-so-perfect crush she strived to gain the approval of; and Lee, the ninja she barely knew, someone who liked her enough to sacrifice his own safety for her sake. They all needed her. And for once, she would be there for them.
Slicing through her hair with a kunai, Sakura freed herself from something she once thought made her beautiful, something she thought would impress Sasuke. The pink strands covered the earth as she stood, a determined phoenix rising from the ashes of her shallowness.
Author's Notes: So, this is dedicated to one of the greatest Sakura moments in the series. Seriously, I love that scene. It speaks volumes about how she's matured since her first appearance, and it was great to finally see her in action. I'm not sure if I did it much justice, though.
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of its characters.