The desert was a harsh and unforgiving place, hot and dry and so different from the home Sakura was used to. Konoha had trees everywhere, and rivers and mountains and places to escape from the sometimes-harsh conditions.
She was out of her element.
Trudging forward, the sand shifted beneath her feet and her fact-filled mind began listing off the dangers of the desert.
Dehydration was number one. Water was hard, maybe even possible to find in such a place, which was never a good thing, as it was something the body constantly needed. Even worse, extreme thirst could sometimes lead to insanity.
Why was she here, anyway? She couldn't remember. Her mouth was dry and her scalp was burning and she decided she much preferred freezing in the icy tundra of the Snow Country.
A figure appeared in the distance, green and seeming to wave at her.
Kakashi!
Running forward, Sakura struggle to keep from tripping in the hot, shifting sand. It felt like forever that she ran, stumbling and tiring but overjoyed at seeing a friend.
She was close enough to touch him now, to grab him from behind and hug him with all the strength she had.
Sharp spikes greeted her when she tried to do so. It was a cactus, not her teacher.
Nursing her injured hand, she turned to try and figure out where she was, only to see a swirling shape a few yards away. It rushed forward, as orange as the blazing sun and seeming to ride on the air itself.
Naruto!
It came nearer and nearer, and Sakura found herself regretting ever doubting the obnoxious ninja. Soon, he was barely a foot away and still whirling forward, until she was sure he would crash into her.
He moved straight passed her, covering her in sun-tinted and sand that blinded and choked. It was a dust cloud, not her friend.
Blinking the tears and dirt out of her eyes, she saw a figure on the ground in front of her. Her mind told her it was Sasuke, begging to be saved from the sun and the sand and the never-ending torture. But part of her already knew it was just another trick; that no one was in this awful place but herself.
Ignoring the make-believe screams of her lover's mirage, Sakura pressed forward, determined to find a way out. Her legs protested, tired and sore, and gave up. She collapsed, the dust floating up around her and hiding her in a cloud.
There was no way out. She had already reached well beyond her limit.
Closing her eyes, she consented to the sleep her body begged for.
Author's Notes: Not sure what to say about this. I personally like how it turned out, but ther's just not really anything to comment on. xP Well, I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of its characters.