Quotes of the chapter: "For every step you take, pain is marked, although you just got to get up and try again."

"So close, yet so far."

"Let it go. Let go of all your worries and that will let you focus more on what is important." -an important person

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA! :)

Proud of this chap B)

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~cнαpтer 16: Leт ɢo~

>>Meanwhile over at Sasuke and Ami<<

"Sasuke....I love you...."

Sasuke didn't move nor react. He just put up his usual stoic expression like he knows it already. Heck, he knew it from the start. As an extra, he knows it's only infatuation. Evidence? If Ami truly loves Sasuke, she wouldn't confess right away. In addition to the defense, they only met for less than a year. True love develops as times goes by. At least by two years knowing the person. Not by because of the looks, seek inside to the personality and attitude of the person then it's up to your heart on whoever it may fall for. The physical attributes of the person is just a combination of the real self. What's important is the soul and heart itself. Right now, Ami maybe knows his favorite color, food and those other basic likes and dislikes but she has no idea what Sasuke has been through, what kind of past he had or what his other side is, his accurate capacity and authentic attitude as a person. Sasuke being cold and quiet doesn't mean that that's just it. Obviously, Sasuke is also a human which means he also feels emotions. He just doesn't show it, he hides it very well.

He noticed that Ami was leaning closer to him, as her eyes shut slowly. Is she gonna kiss him?

As Ami move closer and closer towards him he took a deep breathe out, sealing his onyx eyes. Their lips were only inches apart however, when Ami was about to get her opportunity to make her dreams into reality, the bricks shattered.

Unfortunately for Ami, the source of her happiness was also the one who will destroy her wishes. When she thought that if she went to Konoha and meet the guy of her dreams, she would live in her own fairy tale. Then again, life is a mystery.

Sasuke literally pushed Ami as she fell sitting on the ground.

Crack. (*Wall weakens*)

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked with much resentment that marked Ami's fear.

In just one glimpse from Sasuke's orbs, Ami finally saw his raging fury from his dark side which terrified Ami. She didn't know how frightening an Uchiha's aura can be.

Crack. (*Wall erupts small pieces, breaking slightly*) 

"...I..I..th-thought.." She was mumbling as tears fall from her eyes, trembling in fear.

"You thought what? That I return the same feelings? You hardly even know me..." Sasuke turned, not wanting to hurt anyone physically. Hurting a person emotionally is enough, including that this was pointless. "...No, you actually don't know me at all."

With that, the Uchiha shove his hands inside his pockets and left, leaving a broken Ami behind. Although, she didn't particularly get what Sasuke said or she can't believe what just happened.

"You actually don't know me at all..."

Crack. (*Wall finally shatters into pieces*)

The center of her main desire was the one who broke the thread into reaching her fantasy. The path shattered into tiny pieces. Sometimes, the thing you wished for the most is something you'll never get because life has a better plan for you ahead.

"You actually don't know me at all..."

Again, those grievous words kept on replaying inside her head. She may have thoughts on what he truly meant and she believed in what he said. Sasuke was right. She was wrong. All this time, she wasted her life on silly and pathetic things. What kind of payback would return on her. For all she have done improper, will forgiveness ever repay her?

That night she finally understood the true meaning, learned the right lessons and thought back about the memories in her past, what she was about to do and the possibilities that lies in the future. There she knew what to do but, of course she should first prepare and accept what was coming to her.

~

No one knew that there was actually two boys who witnessed the whole story. One stayed at the top and continued to watch the rest as the other was at the back. He decided to add up the twists in order to unlock the secrets. In other words, revealing the truth to Sasuke and surprisingly, that person was the mysterious Gaara of the Sand even though he shouldn't care about their situations, he settled to help out since it was the righteous point to do.

Sasuke was walking at the halls of the building, on his way to his room when Gaara suddenly blocked his way and explained what he knows about Ami. Exactly as he told to Sakura before. (GO BACK TO CHAPTER 13)

"Why are you telling me this?"

Of course, Sasuke being Sasuke. It's not that easy to take Sasuke's trust in just a simple snap.

Gaara was amused by Sasuke's response. Indeed, he knew that Sasuke would do so. "Remember the time you went to the mall. I bumped into Sakura that time, she was running away from something and I caught her gaze to see you with your friends, including Ami. Or their first greeting when Ami crushed Sakura's hand? Does that connect the dots?"

Sasuke didn't reply. He was still busy registering all that Gaara mentioned into his mind.

"If you still don't believe me, I suppose you can recall the time when Ami was beating up Sakura and you saved her?" Then Gaara caught Sasuke's eyes widen by a bit.

Bingo, he remembers.

"How do you know all of these?"

"Somehow, I was always there to witness when those incidents happen. Since I know about Ami, I figured to help out. Coincidence, huh?"

Sasuke just nodded. "Thanks."

"For what?" Gaara questioned.

Inner Sasuke deeply wished to say thank you to Gaara for many matters though he only let it cross within his brain. "For telling me."

"What's your plan now?"

"Make things right. Soon, you'll see..." Sasuke continued walking his way although he stopped his tracks. "...however I have one last question."

Gaara didn't say anything and waited for Sasuke to continue.

Sasuke still didn't face Gaara but he shifted to his right slightly to see Gaara's expression from the corner of his eyes. "Have you developed feelings for Sakura? Is that why you're helping out?"

Gaara's conscience crept a smile. He thought of tricking Sasuke in order to find out the truth. Being cold and quiet as similar to Sasuke, Gaara somehow understood Sasuke in some ways and knows the same kind of feeling. Who knew Gaara could be this wise and is enhanced in intelligence in terms of life situations?

Gaara turned back as he sealed his jade eyes. "You can say that." With that he started to walk the different path, on his way to his room.

Sasuke had a smug expression at his face. "Thought so." He said in his mind and thought that they may be similar as he made his way to his destination.

~

The next day came and all knew about the news that happened. However Sakura didn't know that Sasuke turned Ami down. Rumors and gossips spread but somehow some of it are fake, made up by stupid people who doesn't even have a clue on what really happened. They all went back to Konoha and successfully, Tsunade did give them a week head start before the Christmas break began.

First week of Christmas break was no fun for Sakura. She just stayed home and finished all her school works within a week due to boredom. After that, she read books, slept, ate food, watched movies, surfed the internet and what possibly a teenage girl could do in her bedroom.

Weekend came and she did her usual routine. Woke up, eat breakfast and just stay inside her room. At some point she also thought of her life, her problems and all that has been hit on her.

Sakura, who witnessed the parts in what happened during their trip, just thought to let it go and move on. She's even used to it ever since Ami came into her life. The feeling of being replaced, feeling of heart break, feeling of losing someone, feeling without the presence of parents and being stuck in the side of loneliness has already been accomplished. What more could possibly hurt her more?

She sighed and lay down at her bed. Over-thinking gives so much depression. It was quite boring in her room with all the quietness around. She decided to play random songs in her phone and turned the shuffle on.

Much to her surprise, the song that played, suited her current state.

The first song was entitled 'How to save a life' by The Fray.

"Step one, you say, 'We need to talk.'
He walks, you say, 'Sit down. It's just a talk.'
He smiles politely back at you.
You stare politely right on through."

Sakura remembers the old times when she was with Naruto and the others, how she missed it.

"Some sort of window to your right,
As he goes left and you stay right.
Between the lines of fear and blame,
You begin to wonder why you came."

She flashed back to the time that Ami came, those memories that brought nothing but pain to her.

"Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend."

Where did she went wrong? She was just being herself to a new friend. Probably, complicated.

"Somewhere along in the bitterness,
And I would have stayed up with you all night.
Had I known how to save a life."

Probably, complicated.

Sakura tapped her phone as it played the next song. 'Bad day' by Daniel Powter.

"Where is the moment we needed the most?"

The moments she loved, vanished.

"You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey.
They tell me your passion's gone away,
And I don't need no carryin' on.

You stand in the line just to hit a new low.
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go."

She remembered the time when Shikamaru talked to her but she just gave a fake smile to get away. (GO TO CHAPTER 10)

"You tell me your life's been way off line.
You're falling to pieces every time,
And I don't need no carryin' on.

'Cause you had a bad day.
You're taking one down.
You sing a sad song just to turn it around.
You say you don't know.
You tell me don't lie.
You work at a smile and you go for a ride.
You had a bad day.
The camera don't lie.
You're coming back down and you really don't mind.
You had a bad day.
You had a bad day."

Everyday was a bad day for her due to the incidents that happened. Again she tapped to the next song.

The next song is 'Iridescent' from the band Linkin Park. (ONE OF THE BEST SONGS, I TELL YOU)

"When you were standing in the wake of devastation.
When you were waiting on the edge of the unknown.
And with the cataclysm raining down.
Insides crying, 'Save me now!'
You were there, impossibly alone."

She may have friends, but the feeling is alone.

"Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?"

"Yes." Sakura mumbled with attachment towards the song.

"You build up hope, but failure’s all you’ve known.
Remember all the sadness and frustration.
And let it go. Let it go."

"Let it go. Let go of all your worries and that will let you focus more on what is important."

Even on the most pierceful depths, letting go and moving on is one of the possible solutions but, never forget the people and the memories that struck you the most in order to be better in facing the worse cases in life.

After listening to more and more songs, Sakura's phone beeped as a text message appeared. It was from Temari, asking her to come with them for Christmas shopping in without a doubt she will accept. Also, her phone began to vibrate which means a phone call. She checked and it was from an unknown number.

"Hello?" Sakura answered as she moved her phone nearer towards her ear.

"Sakura? My, it's been weeks! How's things back at Konoha?" And that voice came from one and only but her mother.

"Mom? I'm doing good. Christmas break just started, how about you?"

"Me and your father are doing well, but we are sad to say that we won't be coming back to Konoha for the Christmas holiday. We promise that we will go back at new years eve. The flight of the airplane was delayed and the next stop was after a few weeks due to the storm here. We hope that you can enjoy your break with your friends."

"It's fine, I understand. Stay safe there and Merry Christmas. See you at new years eve."

"Stay safe as well. Enjoy your Christmas! Love you, honey. See you soon!"

With that the conversation ended. She may have ups and downs with her parents but sometimes, they get along, just as Sakura wanted. Her parents may be hard on her at times but that's how they show their love, through protection of their daughter. Despite the fact that their away, they still contact her from time to time and except the times of comparison since their just saying for her to learn. They work hard for her in order to gain money for their child. Sorrowful side is, she's celebrating Christmas without her parents again. Just like last year however it's a good thing that they'll come back at new years eve. Still, without the presence of parents.

Setting aside the thoughts she fixed herself up and went to Konohagakure mall.

~

Once they gathered up, bought all their gifts and preparations for the upcoming holiday, they decided to eat at a restaurant with laughter and happiness. Sakura will also spend the Christmas season with the sand siblings since all of them wouldn't have their parents around.

A wide distance cover up for two hallways with railings for safety purposes. The left is for the ones passing by to the food court and the other to the movies as different stores piled up the ways around. Walking by an extended hallway, Sakura spotted a group of friends at the other side of the building. As guessed, those were her former friends. Just as before they passed by each other with an eye contact. (GO TO CHAPTER 9) The only difference is once Sakura saw them she quickly averted to the other direction and ignored the sight, moving on with the sand siblings and not having any other thoughts in her brain for a moment.

...

On the other hand, Kiba was guiding Akamaru to the mall with the help of Shikamaru. Ino was with Ami talking about random girl stuff as Ami was keeping her space from Sasuke due to humiliation. Sasuke has his own world even though he's with them as usual. Neji and Tenten were walking together, leading the others to the movies. Naruto was trying his best to lighten things up with his friends and was the source of their laughter with Hinata on his side.

The mall's music was shuffled into pop and rock music. It was playing 'Sparks fly' by Taylor Swift.

"Drop everything now,
Meet me in the pouring rain.
Kiss me on the sidewalk."

They were all having their own worlds.

"Take away the pain,
'Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile."

But all thought the same when...

"Get me with those green eyes, baby, as the lights go down."

When the song played at the part of the lyrics, 'Get me those green eyes' as if on cue, they all spotted Sakura from the other side as times went back, excluding Ami. Kiba remembered his best bud rather than Akamaru. Naruto frowned a bit in the thought of his forner love. Inner Ino cried with the depression thoughts of her best friend. Sasuke flinched and felt a bit uncomfortable at that time with those weird emotions inside. They all thought of Sakura with just a song and at the exact same time, they saw her. What a coincidence.

~

When the show's over, it was night time around ten o' clock when Sasuke thought of going out for a walk in the park to straighten his thoughts. Same goes for Sakura, she wanted to get fresh air from all the struggles she as been facing. As both walked to their places, memories flashed back in their minds to the first time they met, to the times they had fun in joy, to the times when they felt strange feelings and lastly, to the times when they drift apart. Similar destination. Similar wish. Different paths.

Sakura's POV

I walked straight to the north side of the fountain. Tears flooded my emerald eyes, as it streamed down my face. Hopelessly wishing on the fountain, holding a penny.

Sasuke's POV

I was at the south part of the wishing fountain on our neighborhood park. I felt guilty, anger, pity and confusion. I should've been there for her. I messed up, a lot. This is the only thing left I could think about doing even if it crossed to my mind that it's childish and pointless.

Third Person's POV

"I wish she would come back." Sasuke threw a penny, as a teardrop fell from his face, regretting what he had done.

...

"I wish they would know the truth about her and that they would know what I'm feeling right now." Sakura threw her penny. She wiped her tears off of her hopeless face.

The two walked away in different directions. Not knowing that the person they wanted to see was so close.

Will the wish ever work? One thing's for sure and both knows the answer for now...let go.

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EDTIED.//4.8.2014//

Summer's up so updates are fast however there will only be less than five chapters left so :( but I'm still thinking of a sequel and those other stuff

I'll be posting a new story afterwards, about high school though, hope you'll check it out :D

Just so you know, I'll be entering this book into the Naruto Watty Awards on the summer entries whenever it'll be out :)

Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment, it really means a lot to me!

:)

~TheSketcher