Chapter 3: Old Friends and Old Dreams

The rest of the evening went on with light hearted conversation and talk about past missions and travels to different countries. It was amazing how a time of peace could open up new missions to places the Leaf Shinobi had never even been considered for years ago. The Five Great Nations were finally done being at each other's throats and every shinobi was reaping the benefits. Representatives like Temari were able to visit the Leaf more than usual, which Shikamaru didn't mind at all, the Chunin exams were no longer a target for traitors and conspirators, also something Shikamaru didn't mind, and less Genin were lost that year than any other. All of which Sakura was appreciative for. The children's clinic was at a point where they could just work with the kids they had and not worry about an influx of children ruined by warring nations.

Sakura felt herself smiling more than she had in a while. She listened to all their stories and commentary on how their lives were from Lee's everyday adventures on the journey of youth, to Choji's solo mission to the Hidden Cloud, to Naruto and Hinata's relationship growing closer. It was all working out and she felt overwhelmed with catching up with her friends again. Everyone had found their places in the village and the only thing Sakura wanted was to keep it that way.

The food was good and when everyone had to go, they all stayed outside the restaurant for last minute conversation and farewells.

"Well Forehead, I'm leaving with Sai for the night. So, did you at least have fun tonight?"

"Yeah Ino, I did. You were right." Sakura said with a smile.

"I'm sorry-"Ino put a hand to her ear as she leaned in a bit. "What was that?"

"You were right Ino. I needed this." Sakura giggled at her best friend's antics.

"Hear that Sai? Forehead finally came to her senses." Ino stood back with her arms crossed looking quite pleased with herself while Sai just smiled and watched her gloat to her best friend.

"Alright, alright Ino. You made your point. I'm sure Sai wants to go home now so if you would stop torturing the poor guy …"

"Oh don't worry about it Sakura. I don't mind being able to spend more time with old friends and even Beautiful." He reached out and grabbed Ino's hand.

"Oh Sai!" Ino blushed and leaned closer to his shoulder. "Well Sakura. I'll see you tomorrow right?"

"You know it."

"Good, and this time, please try not to overwork yourself tomorrow."

"Alright Ino, just go on! You don't need to tell me twice." Sakura pushed Ino towards Sai even more and with last goodbyes and waves the couple walked off.

"Overworking yourself again huh Sakura –dattebayo?" Sakura turned to her blonde friend and his girlfriend.

"Yeah, but really it's all I can do these days. There's a lot of paperwork that goes into those kids, but it's all worth it."

"That's very noble of you Sakura-san but … d-don't you think you deserve a break? We haven't really seen you much around the village unless it has to do with a mission or … or something else. We were really worried about you after we heard about the Kido incident."

"Yeah, Hinata almost had a panic attack when she heard you were kidnapped. And you'd better believe it when I say that granny Tsunade was about to go on a rampage –dattebayo." Naruto said while putting his hands behind his head.

"I know. I heard. Sorry to make you all worry but really, I'm fine, and nothing like that will happen again. I really showed them what happens to people who messes with a student of Lady Tsunade. Shisō really didn't have to worry. They were made an example of and no one is going to mess with this medic ever again."

"Alright then Sakura-chan. Just don't overdo it ok? We'll see ya next time right?"

"You got it!"

"See ya then Sakura-chan!" He turned to walk off.

"Goodbye Sakura-san! I hope to see you soon!" Hinata followed him and they waved as they walked away.

"Bye-bye!" Sakura waved back at them until they rounded the corner out of sight.

It was then that Sakura put her arm down and her smile faded. She was the last one outside the establishment. She stood there for a minute and let the lonely feeling sink in. Sakura didn't mind, at first she had been saddened by it, but then as the days rolled on she learned to accept it and even take comfort in the feeling. It was just that she hadn't thought that going back to seeing and talking her friends would make her dislike going back to solitude. Sakura was no stranger to loneliness. She had spent the first five to six years of her life alone until Ino came around. It was just another thing she was uncertain of as she grew up and heard about every day. She just guessed that it had finally rubbed off and clung to her this time.

She let out a heavy sigh and looked down the street.

"Well Sakura, these legs aren't gonna walk themselves home. Time to go." She plastered on a smile and started walking until she felt a presence following her.

"Sakura …" She turned around and looked at the man standing behind her.

"Sasuke-kun …" She stared for a second or two until she spoke again. "H-hi. How are you?"

"Good."

"Oh, that's good." She tried to suppress the butterflies she felt in her stomach and forced herself to at least give him a small smile.

"Sakura …" He sounded hesitant which made Sakura a bit curious. Normally he wouldn't be nervous talking to her.

"Yes Sasuke-kun?"

"Mind if I walk with you?" Sakura blinked in surprise but immediately dismissed her excitement.

"Uh, um, sure. Why not?" She smiled and started walking. He followed close behind.

They walked side by side and Sakura gave him some side glances as they did.

"So Sasuke-kun, what did you want to talk about? Usually you don't ever interact with me unless it has something to do with Naruto or the village. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Hn." He nodded. "I just wanted to know how the village is. Last I heard you own a clinic." Sakura's smile grew bigger. Finally, something she could talk about with a grain of enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I actually run the place more than own it though. Tsunade-Shisō helps every now and then with the kids and I can't tell you how many scraped knees I see every day. It's actually kind of amusing." She let out a short string of giggles. "However, I will say I was surprised on how many kids all over the village needed the clinic. If only just to have someone to talk to. I mean, chakra blisters and cuts I can help heal but … I never knew how broken the youth of the village were."

"Hn." Sasuke nodded.

"Speaking of the kids though, did you know that Naruto has been volunteering at the academy recently? The kids really listen to him and take his advice which is the surprising thing. I never thought the idiot would actually be able to teach the future Genin of the village."

"Hmph, that's Usuratonkachi."

"Yeah well, I think he's gotten better since he started dating Hinata. I can't help but think that they really were meant to be together. They just … I dunno, they complement each other perfectly, it's sweet … but really he's still the same Naruto as well. Eating Ichiraku Ramen almost every day, pulling stunts on missions, it's all the same."

"Hn."

"Then there's Sai. He and Ino are dating and really, that came as a shocker to all of us. Considering he was in Root, we didn't think he'd be the first one to have a girlfriend. Then again, no one expected Sai to snag Ino of all people." Sakura said almost nervously.

"That idiot … who knew he could be tolerable?"

"You'd be surprised Sasuke-kun. There are those rare moments where Sai isn't a complete jerk."

"Hn."

"So, where have you been staying? I know you don't exactly have a current residence since you aren't in the village often so I was curious. Have you been staying at Naruto's?"

"No, Kakashi made accommodations for me."

"Kakashi-sensei huh?" She stopped and looked up at the mountain with the faces of the Hokage. All six stone faces expertly carved into the cliffside with their mentor at the end. "It's kinda funny. After all these years and becoming Hokage on top of it all, Kakashi-sensei still finds ways to take care of us. I would have thought he would want us out of his life with all the trouble we caused him but …" She sighed as she gazed at the stone face. "I guess he really cares about us."

"Yeah …" They stood in silence for a minute while gazing at the faces of the previous and present leaders of the village. Sakura felt the nostalgia well up in her mind. All the times that Team 7 had been on missions. Their test on getting the bells. Zabuza and Haku on their first real mission. Then Sakura's mind turned a dark corner.

She didn't know why but she remembered all the times that Sasuke and Naruto fought and argued. After that she recalled memories of being unable to split them apart. She remembered being next to useless on missions since she had no real talent as a Kunoichi back then. She wasn't able to stop crying back then, she had fainted on most occasions, she'd been rendered useless due to her lack of training, and she was the one student that Kakashi hadn't trained privately. Hell, she hadn't even been able to stop Sasuke even once out of all the times she had a chance to. She was the outcast on her own team and felt the guilt eat at her for not being a better Shinobi.

Sakura could almost feel tears welling up in her eyes as she remembered all those things but she shook her head and tried to think of something happier.

"Hey, remember Naruto's face when he heard Sensei was going to be the next Hokage? Now that was priceless."

"Hmph." Sasuke gave a slight smile at the memory.

"He was so mad … No wonder he couldn't come out of his house after three days. However, the guy realized he hadn't had any Ichiraku that week and as silly as it was he pulled himself together and got over it. I'm still impressed at how composed he was at the ceremony."

"Well … when you put it that way …" Sakura looked straight at Sasuke. "I guess we've all grown in some way." He looked at her and before she could react Sasuke tapped her on the forehead. "Silly …"

"Why did you do that?" Sakura asked as she rubbed her forehead.

"Hm." He shrugged. She let out a frustrated huff and let her hand go to her side.

"Well, we're getting close to my block." She turned around to start walking again. "So I guess I'll see you ne-"

"Sakura." Sasuke grabbed her wrist and Sakura paused.

She dared not move. What was he doing? What was going on? Why was he grabbing her wrist or touching her in general? Was this a fake Sasuke? No, he wasn't or else he wouldn't have called Naruto Usuratonkachi. But … something about him grabbing her wrist seemed off to her. She breathed in deeply just to calm herself and turned to him slowly.

"Y-yes Sasuke-kun?"

"Sakura …" He was staring at her for too long. His grip on her wrist was tightening. His breathing became short and nervous.

"What is it? Sasuke-kun tell me. If you need my help just tell me."

"Sakura … there's … something I need to tell you before I leave sometime this week."

"What is it?" Maybe he just needed some information. Maybe it has something to do with his journey of redemption. Maybe just maybe it had nothing to do with-

"Sakura, I- I've been thinking. I've been traveling for so long and when I came back I couldn't believe that someone had kidnapped you."

"It's ok Sasuke. I'm fine. I got away and even left a few broken bones along the way. It'll never happen again." She gave him a nervous smile.

"That's not what I meant." He took a step closer to her. "Sakura, I've met many people out in the world and I've seen many places, but I always come back to this place. I always come back home even though I spent my entire childhood here brooding over revenge and even plotting to destroy the Leaf. Now I see that all my thoughts were wrong and I can only imagine what would have happened if I had won against Naruto after the war."

"Y-yeah, that's a scary thought." Sakura said hesitantly.

"So many things have changed. But so much remains the same. Naruto, Kakashi, everyone else, … and you." Sakura could hardly believe it. Sasuke was talking openly to her, and even giving her what seemed like a complement. She dared not even breathe if only to figure out where he was going with all of this. "These past few days have been brutal with all the paperwork and Naruto dragging me all over the village telling me about how I should get my prosthetic arm, but the one thing I actually wanted to do … was see you."

"… Me?" Sakura was dumbfounded by what Sasuke was saying. She didn't believe it. It couldn't be real. This was another man under Kido. It had to be. But even Sakura knew it wasn't. This was the real Sasuke and Kido was finished along with his accomplices.

"You. I've been trying all week to see you, but I was either busy or you were at work. I've been meaning to tell you but I … I had to wait for the right time. I now see that this is the right time."

"Sasuke-kun, what're you-"

"Sakura, I … think … that I've …" He started to lean in.

Sakura felt dizzy. Her heart was beating fast and her vision was going in and out of focus for some reason. The butterflies were beating at her chest and she started to close her eyes. This was it. What she'd been waiting for her entire life. The dream she'd held onto since she first saw him. He finally loved her back … didn't he? A wave of panic suddenly shot through her. Sakura's heartbeat quickened in fear as doubt suddenly swept over her. He was too close. His grip on her wrist was too tight. This was wrong. This was wrong. This. Was. Wrong.

She immediately took back her wrist and gently pushed Sasuke away. She looked down in shame as her hands touched his poncho. She had no right to be near him. She was no match for him. There was no way. He couldn't. She couldn't. The guilt was once again eating away at her.

"S-Sakura-"

"Sasuke-kun, you're not well." He was stunned by her response. He had never expected Sakura to reject him like that.

"Sakura, I'm just fine."

"No, there must be something wrong. I-I'll take you to see Shizune-sama if you want." Her voice shook and Sasuke realized she was crying. "I'll take you to Shizune and- … and you'll feel better and- … and- … Oh God." She retracted her hands and covered her face. She was crying in front of Sasuke. She felt so embarrassed.

"No Sakura, I'm fine. I'm not sick. I'm healthy and I wanted to tell you that I lo-"

"No! Stop! Don't say it!" Sasuke was astonished. Never had Sakura talked to him like that. He never imagined her reaction to be like this. It confused him.

"Why Sakura?" He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Why?"

"I- I don't …" She looked at him with sad, lonely eyes. He was almost surprised to see how sad they looked, which made him question how much time was the blonde idiot actually paying attention to her when it mattered.

"What is it Sakura?"

"I don't- deserve you." Her answer shocked him. She was shaking her head tears streamed down her face. "I don't deserve you. I don't deserve you. I don't deserve you." She sobbed.

"Sakura, don't be ridiculous. If anything I'm the one who-"Sakura had had enough. He didn't understand. She was no good for him and he deserved better. She was still that weak little girl who couldn't keep her teammates safe in the Forest of Death, the same girl who recklessly ran to separate her friends from fighting, and the same girl … who deserved nothing.

She pushed his hand away and ran. She ran so fast that she could swear her feet were flying. She could hear Sasuke calling out for her and even heard him case after her for a block or two until she finally made it home. She rushed up the stairs and fumbled with the keys out of panic. She could hear him calling and getting closer. She knew all he had to do was teleport and he would catch her but she wasn't about to let that happen. She got the door unlocked and ran inside immediately. When she turned around, she slammed the door making sure no one intruded on her living space. This was her home, her sanctuary, her safe place. No one else's. It was only when she couldn't sense his presence anymore that Sakura let herself fall to her knees and sob. She cried and cried until her voice was sore and her head was aching. She kept gasping for air and it was then that she realized that she hadn't had a good cry in years. All the emotion that was bottled up inside was too much and she was dying to let it all out.

When Sakura finally came back to her senses, she sat up on the floor and pressed her back to the wall. She felt empty but the tears were still running down her cheeks. She felt pain in her eyes and in her head and sore in her chest from lack of air. She was alone. She had no one to comfort her. There was only the silence of the house. It was then Sakura came to a revelation. The years had gone by and as each one did she realized that she was reverting back to the old her. The small six year old that didn't have a single friend and was mocked day in and day out. She was useless. She was unwanted. And she deserved nothing. She was once again … alone.

"Oh God no. Please." She begged softly. She hugged herself tightly and sat there for what seemed like forever. All she could hear was the sound of her breathing and the ticking of the clock until it finally struck midnight. She could hear the soft chime it made for a moment or two until the sound had all but faded away. She felt tired and sore. All Sakura wanted to do was go to bed and forget what had happened with her and Sasuke. Maybe even forget the whole night.

"Oh Sakura, what is it this time?" Sakura's head shot up when she heard a soft female voice call out to her.

"Whose there?! Show yourself!" She was on her feet in moments.

"Sakura, do you not remember me? It's me … from the void." The voice did seem familiar to Sakura. It was one that she had remembered calming her on rough days in her dreams. A voice that had almost faded away. One that she had thought never existed.

"W-who are you? What do you want?"

"You do remember don't you Sakura?"

"I-I think. I didn't … I didn't think you were real." She looked around for the source of the voice. "Where are you?"

"I'm sorry my dear but you cannot see me. I cannot be seen by mere mortal eyes."

"I remember you… "Sakura replied breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"

"I am simply here to do my duty. I am here to comfort you and help you. It is almost time for me to grant you my assistance, so tell me dear … what is it that has brought you to tears?"

"I-it's …"

"Your teammates. Your friends again. Oh Sakura my dear child. How you have grown and how far you have come. Only to fall back into my embrace." Sakura felt fresh tears resurfacing. She almost forgot how the voice had been able to read her every thought. It was a comfort she hadn't had since moving out of her parent's household. "Tonight has been awful, hasn't it?"

"Y-yes."

"All you wanted was a nice evening and look at what a mess you are. Oh my dear Sakura, don't you worry. I'll help you. Besides, it is almost time for me to fulfill my promise."

"Promise?"

"Yes my dear. I gave you my word years ago to help you. Do you not remember?"

"Promise …" Sakura paused to think. She had a faint memory of someone telling her they would help her. All she had to do was wait. "Yes, I remember now. I was small, and you told me to wait."

"Yes, that's it. You remember." The voice said happily. "And now my dear I have come to help you."

"But how?" Sakura asked in despair. "How can you help me when I can't help but feel lost and alone again? How could you help me?"

"I can do something others in this village cannot."

"And what is that?"

"I can take your pain and make it seem as if it never happened. The pain you feel can be changed by undoing what has been done."

"What?" Sakura asked in confusion. "You're speaking in riddles."

"I can twist events Sakura. I can change time. I can help you fix what is broken. I can change your past." There was silence.

Sakura almost couldn't believe it. Nothing seemed real anymore. It was all a blur and she was in the center of it all.

"This … this has to be a dream."

"I can assure you Sakura, this is no dream."

" … I don't know what to say."

"Then don't, just think. Just imagine. A Konoha that has never experienced pain. One where all your friends are together, one where Sasuke never left the village, people who are dead now can be saved, all the trials you have been through can be reversed and you will have all the answers and power to guide them. Think about it Sakura. I want to help you."

There was nothing. Sakura was dumbfounded. The silence cradled her in those few minutes that she thought. She could picture it. A village where the war had never happened. Gai would be able to walk, Neji and Asuma alive and safe, Danzo exposed before he could do any damage, … Naruto with friends as a kid, … so many things.

"Well Sakura?"

"I- I … I accept."

"Then here is what you must do my dear…"