I Do Not Own Naruto

Questioning Hatred

Sakura felt like crying, she felt like screaming, she felt like dying, and not for the first time she wished desperately Sasuke had killed her that time he had plunged his hand in the center of her chest. There, she thought grimly as she stumbled to a stop with the tears streaming down her face, she had thought her worst wish as she fell to her knees and tried not to cry.

It was pointless, she knew this as the tears slipped down her cheeks and she rubbed her eyes. She was never going to be good enough for him to notice or love in return, she was never going to be enough for him. And the worst part of that was she knew it as she sat up and stared at the starry night of the desert. Everything was open and wide and never ending but it was so black at night here, she hadn't noticed it until now as she sat here heaving broken sobs. She was alone in the world by being here, and she wished for that solitary oblivion.

"Sakura," his voice called for her and she closed her eyes again as she heaved a sigh then wiped her cheeks clear of her tears as she stood again and turned to look at the shadow residing in the shadows. She hated her heart of skipping a beat at the silhouette of him against the endless midnight starry sky.

"What?" she asked coldly as she folded her arms and stood there trying to act strong. She had pulled it off for years, she had faked all of strength for years, she had faked it for Naruto and Sai and Kakashi and Tsunade so they wouldn't know. And if she could fake it for them then she was certain she could fake it for Sasuke, she could appear strong and independent rather than in love with him. And Kami did she love him, hatred and monster and all of who and what he was.

But he didn't care, he didn't need her love, and he'd never have to know how much it was killing her that he didn't need nor want her love.

"What is going on Sakura?" he asked her in a cold blunt voice.

"I don't know what you're talking about Sasuke," she replied coldly.

"Sakura," his tone was warning as she stood there glaring at his silhouette.

"No, you don't get to 'Sakura' me! No one does, and it's not as if you would care even if I told you! You hate me! You tried to kill me, many atimes! So my question is why are you even here, Sasuke?" she snapped as she walked up to him. If she was shocking him then he didn't let it show as walked up to him; not that she could've seen his shock in the desert's night.

"You hate me, you've made it abundantly clear that I'm lower than scum to you; so why are you here. I could've just come alone, Kami knows I don't need you, I think I've proven that much in these past years. So tell me Sasuke, why are you here?" she demanded.

Did she really think that? Did she really believe he hated her?

Well, how could she not, he reflected, after all he had never made an effort to let her know, to let her see the difference in how he viewed her. But he had never hated her, he had however hated what she offered him at one point, he hated that she had offered him peace, offered him love, offered him a home, offered him comfort, offered him strength, and had offered him everything he could have if he didn't hate. He had tried to kill her, but every time he had, he couldn't look at her, he always wanted to stab her in the back so as to not see those green eyes and everything she had to offer him, however she had proven stubborn and looked him in the eyes every time. he regretted it now, but then it had been the source of his nightmares.

So yes, at one point he had hated everything she had to offer.

But he had never hated her, not even Naruto could comprehend what that meant to him, but he knew, he knew he'd never hate her. Just what she could selflessly give him without a second thought, without comprehending how much it would mean to him.

"I never hated you," he said it indifferently though he felt the opposite about it. "I hated Naruto, I hated the village, I hated Itachi, I hated Kakashi, I hated everyone before, but I never hated you; Sakura."

Her name was still sweet on his tongue. Just as it always had been, it was like a forbidden fruit to him, something he loved and craved and despised all at once. But he had never hated her.

"Sure you didn't, a hand stabbing me in the chest just screams 'I don't hate you'," she replied sarcastically and he smirked. Mostly because she could not see him smirk, she had developed a bad attitude, and back bone since he had left the village and he had to admit he liked it.

"I am here, Sakura, because of your letters and the dobe," he informed her.

"Uh-huh, you know what, just for once be honest with me, just once would be nice. Until then, I'll be back in my room," she stated coldly as she walked past him. He smirked then as he watched her disappear into the night.

Aside from the Dobe and himself he had never met a more stubborn person than Sakura. and even then, he knew, he knew she was more stubborn than the dobe and himself combined. He would never forget how stubborn that woman was, and how strong she was; and how unlike Naruto, she would give up on him to protect her friends. And now she was under the ridiculous impression he hated her, he was going to have to go about changing her opinion about that.

Did Sakura never make anything easy?

That's all for now folks!

Enjoy Only Tears! =)