Sitting on her bed, knees hugged to her chest, Sakura stared at the photo of her team (or what it used to be, at least), remembering the days when they were happy and eager and together, before things fell apart and her world toppled like a line of dominos.
One face stood out. His intense, dark eyes bore into her, seeming to pierce her mind even as something as lifeless as a photo. It stood out because it was so familiar yet so different – the Sasuke she remembered, not the one she had seen mere hours ago. He had always been stoic and silent and single-minded, but never the hate-filled shell of a person she had encountered, completely consumed by revenge.
'We put so much into this mission, risked our lives...' she thought, hand absent-mindedly drifting to the spot where a poison-tipped blade had pierced her stomach. 'We were so close, fought so hard, but it still wasn't enough.'
Was it really worth it? Should she and Naruto really dedicate their lives to this, to the seemingly impossible goal of retrieving a friend who grew more distant with each passing day?
It would be so much easier to just give up, forget him, like everyone insisted...
'Those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash.'
With a clench of her fists and a hake of her head, she quickly banished the thought of surrender. Sasuke needed help. As a friend and a kunoichi trained in the art of healing, she couldn't turn her back on someone who needed her.
Rising out of bed, she glanced out the window. The sun was beginning to rise.
It was time to resume her training.
Author's Notes: Haven't posted any SasuSaku in a while. Hopefully you guys like this. :3
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of its characters.