by

Lou.D

Summary

When you cannot bear the pain anymore, you will look for a breakthrough, right?! But how will Haruno find hers? Set after the death of Danzo.

Disclaimer

The awesome fanart above is Charasuke X Sakura  by the awesome

Naruto characters(c) Masashi KISHIMOTO

Chapter 1

The Decisive Day

It all started years ago. I was still a little girl back then. But, I wasn't the only one. In fact, the other girls have been infatuated like me since then with the genius, aloof Uchiha. Yeah, Sasuke-kun! Ahhh! When I think about him, and that cute face of his when we were younger, I can't help but smile. He was so adorable. With those black eyes, and cute face, what little girl could not fawn over him? Yeah, we used to fight over Sasuke-kun. Ino pig, heh, my rival, was so into Sasuke. She used to hug him and scream in her annoying voice, everytime she led her eyes on him. God, how I hated her when I realised that she had been crushing on him too. I smile again. Childhood memories have brought joy to my heart again. I sigh afterwads; my thoughts have drifted to the current Sasuke. Damn!

My feelings have certainly wavered since those old days. The genius survivor has grown up into a sexy young man, but a cold hearted criminal nonetheless. I guess, deep down in my heart, I still had some lingering affection for him, but that was not the only feeling within.

Sasuke caused us pain, and by us, I mean Team 7. Unlike me and Naruto, Kakashi-sensei did not show any sign of regret or any of the sort. May be he did feel so, but he covered it up really well, like a jonin would.

I won't speak about my case, for I have been heartbroken since the moment he decided to leave. I couldn't deter him from his foolish mission. I failed terribly, and I still feel the bitter taste of it now.

Clutching my skirt, I thought about my long time friend and teammate. The loud mouthed blond who has always been by my side. I feel guilty now. Because of me, and my selfish wants, he has made a lifelong promise to bring him back to me.

I glanced at the sleeping Naruto. Another mission, a surprise encounter with the rogue Uchiha, and another failed attempt to bring him back to Konoha. Naruto was injured; the fight had been terrible. I wished I had been with them. But, could I go against him? I questioned myself, as flashbacks came to me. I wasn't much of a help really when we finally found him at Orochimaru's. Damn it again!

My eyes lowered as doubt weaved its way to my heavy heart. Sasuke kept on growing stronger and darker. I wondered if we lost him for good. Was it pointless by now to keep on going after him? I feared knowing the answer.

"Nngh," I heard, as my eyes shifted quickly back to Naruto. He seemed to be coming to, and so his eyes were opening slowly.

"Naruto," I called his name softly, watching him carefully for any signs of pain.

He seemed to be disoriented, as he stared at me for a moment, before he managed a smile. "Sakura-chan," he replied in his gruff voice.

"How are you feeling, now?" I asked, nudging closer to his bruised face. He took some time before finally replying, "slightly better now." He watched me, and I returned his gaze, feeling my guilt rising once more.

I left the hospital not long ago, needing to be alone. Too many people were injured this time. "Sasuke," I whispered, as I felt hot tears falling over my cheeks and down to the ground.

A week went by and Naruto was back on his feet. It had taken him a short time to recover; amazing, I know, it was to witness the power of the Kyuubi at work once more.

We had just left the Hokage Tower. Neither of us spoke a word; the news was troubling. Sasuke had apparently joined the Akatsuki of all the things to do! And to top it off, the Jinchuriki of Kumogakure had gone recently missing. Chichou Tsunade had already received messengers from the Village Hidden by the Clouds, pertaining the abduction of the Jinchuriki to a certain young Uchiha nin.

I couldn't forget the look of pain that transpired on Naruto's face. He looked devastated back there, and so was I. 'Why, Sasuke, why?!' I thought bitterly. I looked back at Naruto and my heart almost broke from the sheer sadness in his eyes. His shoulders were slumped.

"N...Naruto?" I asked hesitantly.

He looked at me with those eyes, and my heart tightenend more. He didn't say a word, but his eyes spoke a thousand words to me. I reached immediately and hugged him tightly. He stiffened slightly in my embrace. It was new, I know, even for me, but hell, I no longer cared. I needed to wash away this pain and despair. I needed the cheerful Naruto back with me.

"Everything will be alright, Naruto. Don't worry. I promise," I whispered gently, rubbing his back soothingly.

"Sasuke!"

I couldn't help but stare at his back, and the Uchiha crest staring back at me. I watched transfixed as his head was turning back slowly towards me, teasing me. "Ahh, Sakura," he said calmly in that low, baritone voice of his. I shuddered when I heard my name rolling off those maddening lips. I didn't move; I stood rigidly, watching those obsidian eyes stare steadily back at me.

I noticed someone, a redhead lying nearby on the grass. She looked injured and worn out. The girl strained her neck to look at me. She seemed surprised. Then, I noticed her frown, as her eyes seized me up as if she was thinking hard. Her gaze shifted between me and Sasuke, before they finally settled on me. 'Could she be one of his new team?' I wondered. My eyes caressed her again when she shifted, and my throat almost went dry at the injury that she had been hiding. My eyes drifted back to Sasuke, to those dark eyes again. I feared where my thoughts were taking me now. He couldn't have, could he?

I could only hear the swift breeze and the girl's pants. The tension was unbearable. He kept staring at me without faltering, his stance ready, just waiting. God, leave it to an Uchiha to make you feel uncomfortable in your own skin! I was getting nervous, but I had to keep my emotions in check, especially now, in his presence.

"Sasuke!" I called again, breaking the tension.

"Why are you here, Sakura?" he asked.

I dared taking a step, towards him. I'm a nin too, and the disciple of Lady Tsunade herself. If things should turn ugly between us, then I would take him on. But before that, I wanted to talk to him. It'd been three years already. I yearned for this moment.

His eyes watched me, so deep and dark. Calculating, I knew that much. I stopped, a good distance between us.

The wind rose up slightly, playing with my cloak. I watched his open shirt being ruffled by the wind. I could see his chest, revealed to my eyes.

"I'm not here to fight you Sasuke," I replied.

"Hn," he taunted, arrogantly, face still unreadable.

"I'm here to join you," I informed him at once. I stared at him, trying to gauge his thoughts but he was still emotionless. The girl's gasp didn't go unnoticed, though. I watched as the wind played with those black silky locks. I had dreamt of running my fingers through them, but this was not the time, dammit!

"Prove it," he said out of the blue, challenging and surprising me.

Yes, my eyes widened slightly, but I regained composure quickly. "I'll do anything to prove my intentions to you!" I replied, calmly. I had to keep my emotions in check around him.

Then, he smirked, surprising me again. I thought I had seen something in those dark eyes, but he shocked me with his words.

"Kill her," he ordered.

The girl screamed in shock; I felt as if a lump had stuck down my throat. I couldn't help but let my eyes widen this time, as his words had finally sunk in. My blood had turned ice cold. I swallowed the lump and averted my shocked eyes from his. This was not good at all. This was really bad!

I cast her a quick look. "Isn't she a member of your team?" I asked, as I felt my hands sweating. I was still shocked. I realized then the extent of my mistake. The girl was shaking now. I couldn't blame her. My heart was still beating against my ribcage. I had never killed a human before! He had cornered me really well!

"She's a burden to me," he replied cruelly. And my heart sank at his words. The girl looked pitiful, my God. I could feel his gaze on me. This was my test. I moved towards the whimpering girl, and stood towering over the bloodied red head.

He was waiting for me to do it.

But I was too hesitant to do it.

My hair rose on my neck when I heard the swift movement of his legs behind me. I realized what he was doing, but it was too late for me to act. Terror filled me in that instance, and my eyes watched the redhead who was screaming, but I was deaf. I couldn't hear a sound.

'Sasuke...,' I thought in my last moment.

And I felt it then. The sudden swoosh and my legs were off the ground. 'Was I being carried?' I tried to grasp what was happening. I opened my eyes, and I saw him, my loud mouthed friend.

He had stopped and was now staring hard the other direction.

"Naruto?" I called his name weakly, and I realized as I heard my broken voice that I was crying. My hands were clutching his orange top, shakingly.

He didn't look down at me, but he must have heard me. "It's Ok, Sakura-chan. You're safe now. Don't cry."

I sniffed, and let my eyes turn back to him. He was there, katana shining under the sun, watching us. His eyes were cold as he raised his sword towards us.

I was lying in my bed thinking. The memory kept on playing over and over in my head. "He went for the kill. He was going to kill me," I said to no one.

And I kept on remembering that frightening moment. And it wasn't before long that I was crying, wailing in my bed, as I let all that pain and long bottled up anguish out.

"I, I, I... hate you," I choked as I clutched my sheets. My wails rising in the silent flat.

It was on that day that I realized three things: I failed again into getting him back. He was lost for us and me forever, and he almost killed me.

My life changed again on that day, because of a certain Uchiha.

Lou.D