Chapter 1 - It is what it is and was what it was.

Alt summary: They say it's important to lose something to appreciate its worth. Sakura decides to give up on Sasuke, however losing their ninjutsu on a mission was not what she had in mind.

With a final mark on the page, Sakura finally let go of the pen and straightened her hunched shoulders and back. She got up and stretched til her body trembled with a release and soothed a hand through her tight shoulders. Slumping over a report was so bad for her. She didn't know how Kakashi-sensei did it all the time. Especially these past four years of rebuilding Konoha after the fourth shinobi war with all the responsibility of hiring contractors, travelling to other villages for meetings, maintaining the shinobi in Konoha and maintaining peace among the village civilians. She respected anyone with the heart to take up the offer for Hokage. She organised her papers into a neat stack. She finished writing a report for Kakashi to review, apparently, some chunin went on a mission and returned infected with a rare and deadly poison. Thankfully she and her team at the hospital were able to extract the poison and save the chunin's lives.

"Hey, Sakura," Aimi, one of the nurses called.

"Yes?"

"Did you hear? Sasuke Uchiha is back in the village." Aimi flashed a bright grin at Sakura, thinking the news would send her through the roof. Sakura would be lying if that sentence didn't make her heart jump. She hadn't seen him or talked to him in a long time. How long has it been? Almost two years.

The last intimate moment they had was when he tapped on her byakugou seal. When he had to atone for his sins and understand his feelings. When she asked him if he could take her with him. Thinking back, it was ridiculous she had asked that. What would she have done with him or vice versa? He wasn't ready to accept and love her, she doubted he could even understand the difficult intricacies of love.

Sakura turned back to her report. "That's great news, thanks,"

"I hope you get to see him."

Sakura only nodded and the nurse went on with her duties, as should Sakura.

She put her report into a file, removed her white coat and left for the Hokage's office.

It was partially humid on the streets of Konoha, so she was glad she removed her coat. Her light red dress and black tights were enough for her skin to feel a light breeze.

She walked up to Ino's family flower shop. Lately, Ino was spending less and less time there, as she was going to be the head of integration after the death of her father. Still, Sakura was hoping to spot a glimpse of her long blonde hair and stunning make-up that made Sakura look pale in comparison.

"Sakura!" Her best friend's voice soared and Sakura smiled. Ino ran up to her.

"I thought you'd be probing enemy's minds right now." Sakura hugged her best friend, catching the pleasant scent of sweet coconut shampoo on her locks.

"Nah, I took a break today, geez, you wouldn't want to know what goes on in an enemy's head, it's truly disgusting. So, how are you?"

"Good, heading to give my report to Kakashi-sensei,"

Ino clasped her hands together. "Oh! You wouldn't believe it! At first, I thought it was my imagination, but I saw Sasuke heading to the Hokage tower."

Again. Her heart jumped, this time it did a backflip. Not at the mention of his name, but that he might be in the same room as her. What would she say to him? What would he say to her? She wasn't quite ready to face him yet.

"Sakura...?" Ino frowned.

Sakura raised her hands to her chest. "I'm okay! I promise. I'll see you around, pig!" Sakura dashed away from the flower shop.

Sakura took her time on the stairs, counting each step and stalling the inevitable in the form of small talk to whoever passed her on the way. When she reached the last step, she had the idea of going back down until two chunin were coming up carrying a heavy desk. Not waiting to get in their way, Sakura bent the corner but her name was called from behind.

"Sakura-san, wait up!" Ichiro, one of the chunin who was poisoned ran up the stairs to meet her.

"Hey, Ichiro, how are you feeling?" she asked.

"Much better thanks to you." He smiled and scratched the back of his short, red hair. Her eyes gazed over his build, normally that type of poison can affect body weight, he was normally of an average build like any other chunin but the poison shaved off some fat off his body, and he looked quite thin.

"Are you eating well? The effect of the poison affected your weight so it's best to try to regain some weight,"

"Ah, yes, thank you, well, as you brought up food, would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"

Sakura would be lying if she said she didn't feel nice being asked out. It has happened before, a decent guy would ask her out and she would say no, all because she was waiting for Sasuke. It was beginning to feel like all she ever did was wait on Sasuke. And she was becoming sick of it.

"Let me think about it, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Ichiro! Hurry up and give us a hand here!" One of the chunin was straining to carry the desk.

"Ah, sorry I'll see you later!" he said as he ran down the stairs.

Sakura scrolled down the hallway until she met the Hokage office. Her trembling hand grabbed the door knob and she had heard it again.

Not the mention of Sasuke's name but Sasuke himself. His aloof voice was muffled behind the thick wooded door, making Sakura freeze in her steps.

Her mouth became dry. Why was she so anxious? He was just a teammate, a friend... potentially more. Ah, yes, the potentially more part scared her. The idea of him not feeling the same way about her scared her.

"Yes? Come in?" Kakashi's voice called to whoever was shaking the door.

Sakura swallowed and took in a deep breath.

"Kakashi-sensei, I have that report." Sakura tried her best to sound natural and unbothered. It was just the three of them. Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke. Her face wasn't shocked, her eyes simply cast over him in mild curiosity.

His hair was slightly longer, with one side longer covering his rinnegan, black clothes and a black coat covering his stump.

She looked into his eyes, and with every second that had passed, she grew more irritated. He said nothing to her, not a word of acknowledgement, not a "Sakura" "Hey" or nod.

She figured he was waiting for her to acknowledge him first.

Sakura clenched her jaw and looked at Kakashi. She put her file on his desk and turned to leave.

"Sakura,"

Her name was called, but it wasn't from the person she wanted to hear it the most.

"Yes, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Thanks for your hard work,"

"Same to you."

Before she could leave footsteps echoed down the hall and she braced for impact.

"Sasuke!" Naruto ran up to him. "Hey! How come you never told me you were back!"

"I just got back like half an hour ago, dobe."

"Oh, well we're going out for drinks later, you have to tell me everything that went down." Naurto truned to Sakura.

"Sakura-chan you'll come to right? It's at the bar,"

She left the room without saying a thing.

"Wait, Sakura-chan!"

The room fell into silence.

"What was that about?"

Kakashi sighed. "Seems like things do change."

Sasuke looked at him and Kakashi smiled.

When she looked out the window, Sakura was finishing her rounds at the hospital. It was dark and clear, most likely around after nine. Those guys would be at the bar by now, she thought. Her dry throat itched for some sweet sake. She contemplated going. Because one, she needed a drink and two, it was always nice to see her friends. But Sasuke would be there and he didn't look all that happy to see her. Then again she couldn't really tell, all he truly gave her was a blank stare.

She heard crying from the side and a mother was carrying a baby in her arms. She wondered when she would have a child of her own or firstly, a husband. All her friends were pretty much paired up by now. All that was left unmarried or not taken was Sakura and Sasuke. She bet her friends were assuming they would get together too.

She was ready.

Sakura was all for it. But, she needed more than getting into a relationship unenthusiastically, as if to say "Everyone's pairing up, might as well do the same."

No, she was more than that. She was a person with needs wants and desires out of her partner and relationship. She needed communication, love, intimacy, respect, and passion.

All these things she was sure Sasuke could not give to her. It hurt to think about it.

A man passed by her, probably a visiting, and stated with an uneasy expression. She hadn't realised tears were rolling down her face until the man fell into a blurry mess.

Sakura put her hand over her mouth, dashed for the door and locked herself in a supply closet.

The sharp scent of alcohol and chemicals along with the salty tears filled the tight space. What would hurt more is what she had to do.

A boisterous laugh boomed in the restaurant. Sakura saw the flash of yellow, even though he cut most of his hair, he was still Naruto.

And beside him was an indifferent-looking Sasuke, sipping sake. Sakura leaned against the bar where she was hidden from the group and she observed from afar for a moment. When she was younger, she often wondered what was going on behind those dark eyes, she still does. Her younger self was too afraid to ask him, he was impossible to get close to and she thought of mostly superficial ways to gain his love and attention. Even now, he has that same slightly annoyed, expression as he did when they were kids.

Sakura walked up to the group and smiled.

"Sakura! You made it!" Ino stood up to make some space on the bench but paused when she looked at her eyes.

"Hey! Sakura..." Naruto's voice died a little and the group fell silent. "What's wrong?"

Crap. My eyes must be red and puffy from crying, she thought and straightened her posture.

"N-nothing, I'm fine,"

Lee interjected, he too had a tense look on him. "Are you sure nothing is the matter, Sakura-san?"

" Yeah, I…I just need to talk to Sasuke."

Sasuke looked up from his drink, he didn't bother looking at her when she walked up to them. And her eyes stunt at the thought of him ignoring her again. She blinked the tears away. She hated feeling this way.

"In private." She added. The group fell silent and Sakura spun on her heels for Sasuke to follow her out.

Outside the restaurant, the scent of cooking oil, spices and sake kissed her stained cheeks. She hoped she wouldn't associate these scents with sadness.

Sasuke strolled out, hands buried in his pockets. "What is it?" he asked.

Sakura forced a smile and bit back tears she prayed would not come in front of him.

Let's make this quick, like throwing a kunai.

She lifted her hand and waved it.

Sasuke gave her a confused look. "What's that?"

"My white flag. I surrender." She dryly chuckled.

"What? What do you mean?"

"I'm over this, I'm not going to wait on you anymore, Sasuke. So, I won't waste your time and you won't waste mine."

His eyes widened and she noticed his jaw slackened a little. And there it was, the emotion and acknowledgement she needed. It was a reflection it reminded her that he was human too.

She turned away from him. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Sasuke." And she left without a word. She was proud of herself for keeping it together. Now all that was left to do was to get over Sasuke Uchiha.

A/N: Hey~~ I'm back with a new fic, it's already written and in the middle of editing so I hope you stick around and have some fun with this new story.