*Out of Sakura's POV*
I turned on the shower and let the warm, refreshing water run over my body.
I had a tough training session with Lady Tsunade behind me, and now I was exhausted.
After the refreshing shower, I dried off and put on my bathrobe.
When I went to my room, I fell tired on the bed.
Accompanied by a long sigh, my eyes wandered around the room and suddenly stopped at a framed photo.
The whole team 7 was shown in this picture, from when we were younger.
My gaze fixated Sasuke.
The beautiful memories from the past- when the team was still complete, went through my head.
But it was over, Sasuke had completely changed.
He had chosen a path of darkness, seeking for revenge, no matter what.
The man I loved was going to be eaten up by his hatred.
He was gone, maybe forever.
No matter what we did, or how much we tried, it was of no use.
I felt a pain go through my chest and I started to cry.
It was just too much for me...
I loved this guy with all my heart, since I was a child.
I had grown stronger and became more mature, but he was still my weak spot.
"Why are you doing this to me Sasuke?"
I whispered to myself and buried my face in the pillow.
I raised my head again, when I heard the doorbell ring.
Who could it be?
And why now?
I got up to go to the door and when I opened, I was visibly surprised.
"I-Ino? What-"
My gaze wandered to what she was holding in her hands - a bouquet of flowers.
She smiled warmly at me.
"Hey, big forehead, happy to see me?"
She laughed.
Really? I was not really in the mood for that now...
My expression changed to an annoyed one.
"What do you want Ino-Pig?"
"Hey!"
Ino glared at me, then she closed her eyes and sighed.
"Can I come in?"
"Uhh... yes, sure."
Now, I was curious, I wondered, what she would want.
I stepped back and she entered my apartment.
"Nice and tidy here, I did not expected that from you."
She sat down on the couch.
I ignored her comment and sat, next to her.
"So... what's up?"
I leaned back and looked at her curiously.
"Here!"
She held out the flowers to me, she had brought with her and smiled.
"A little encouragement."
They were really for me?
I took the flowers and looked at them amazed.
"Awee Ino, thank you?"
I blushed.
That was random but very sweet!
I really didn't expected that.
I was surely surprised.
"But why?"
I asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
Now she blushed and turned her face away from me.
"Well you know... maybe you need them... it's not because I like you or anything!"
I laughed.
"Ow c'mon, you like me!"
I leaned over to her grinning, to see her face.
She pushed me away.
"Maybe. But just when you're not annoying."
I put the flowers away smiling, that really made me a little bit happier.
"Soo~ did they made you feel better?"
This question surprised me, waiting for an answer, Ino's sparkling eyes looked at me.
"What do you mean?"
I asked carefully.
"Aww come on hun, do you really think, I won't notice?
You are my best friend."
She raised her hand and with her thumb she brushed the dried tears away from under my eye.
"You just cried, didn't you?"
"Is it really that obvious?"
I asked quietly, as if I had asked myself that question.
"Seriously, tell me what's wrong, you know I always listen to you, okay?"
I could clearly hear the care in her voice, and I felt like I could confide in her.
I hoped, I would not regret it.
"It's just... I feel like I can't handle it anymore Ino, I miss him so much!"
Suddenly tears welled up in my eyes again.
I did not wanted to cry in front of her, especially not because of him.
"So Sasuke is still on your mind, huh?"
She gently stroked my back while watching me cry, then said something that shocked me.
"Sakura... you have to give him up."
"What?!"
Did she really meant, what she just said?
Give up on him?
"Do you want to spend your life crying after him?
At some point you risk your health."
Her look and tone of voice reminded me of a scolding mother.
"What do you know?
I love him!
I can't do that, never!"
I shouted.
"What are you saying?"
Ino took her hand from my back.
In response to me yelling at her, she also raised her voice.
"I'm feeling the same!
Do you actually know how I'm feeling?!
I suffer way more than you!"
*Ino's POV*
That was not the truth and I knew that. Every Person in Konoha knew, how much Sakura had to suffer.
Her and Naruto had a great burden to bear.
I knew that!
But Sakura didn't knew, how I felt about Sasuke.
I was also in love with him and Sakura was important to me too.
She was my best friend.
I did not wanted, to see her suffer like that.
It was so pointless.
But maybe my words would make her think.
Even if just a little...
The pink haired girl looked at me, really desperated.
"I-"
But she didn't finished her sentence, she probably did not knew what to say.
"Anyways, I won't let it pull me down, and neither will you."
I took her hand and caressed it with the other.
"We lost him both, so we have to stick together."
Perhaps pretending to still like Sasuke, would let her think that she wasn't alone with her feelings and the guilt.
"I'm sorry...
I will never show weakness again...
I have to be strong, like Naruto, I know that..."
She sobbed.
Her words hurt me a little, It was okay to show weakness.
Love was so complicated, feelings could not be suppressed so easily.
"It's okay."
I just whispered and smiled slightly, she smiled back, wiping her tears away.
The night after visiting Sakura, it was difficult for me to close one eye.
I thought about the situation with her and about Sasuke too.
Sasuke,.. did I still had feelings for him?
I was not sure.
When thinking about him, it just did not felt like it used to.