Fic: "A Million Little Pieces"
Title: Punishment
Rating: K
Word Count: 226
Summary: Sakura understands why she has to put up with Sai.
Warnings: Um, shortness?
Author's Notes: Another old one. I seriously need some new ideas.
Naruto doesn't know why she tries so hard with Sai.
Yamato might know, but doesn't mention it, probably because he is too relieved that he isn't the only one trying to keep their little pseudo-team together to press the issue.
Tsunade not only knows; she understands, and says nothing.
Sakura has only just started to figure it out, with every half-glance of dark hair on pale skin, every hopeful thrill and nauseating disappointment.
He is her punishment. He is a reminder of everything she hasn't done, of the promise she still hasn't kept. He is the penance for her failure.
Sakura has always owned up to her mistakes, and this one (because anything having to do with him is just one big mistake on her part) is no different. She sees it as a test of her new maturity, just another burden to force some strength into her still-frail shoulders. That's why when even Naruto- Naruto, who can make friends with a block of ice if it will stay frozen long enough- gives up on Sai, she takes a deep, frustrated breath, clenches her fists until her nails bite though her gloves and skin, and tries again.
She has, after all, always been a glutton for punishment. No one can chase after Uchiha Sasuke for so many years without developing a bit of a masochistic streak.
---
ff.net link is here.
Rating: K
Word Count: 226
Summary: Sakura understands why she has to put up with Sai.
Warnings: Um, shortness?
Author's Notes: Another old one. I seriously need some new ideas.
Naruto doesn't know why she tries so hard with Sai.
Yamato might know, but doesn't mention it, probably because he is too relieved that he isn't the only one trying to keep their little pseudo-team together to press the issue.
Tsunade not only knows; she understands, and says nothing.
Sakura has only just started to figure it out, with every half-glance of dark hair on pale skin, every hopeful thrill and nauseating disappointment.
He is her punishment. He is a reminder of everything she hasn't done, of the promise she still hasn't kept. He is the penance for her failure.
Sakura has always owned up to her mistakes, and this one (because anything having to do with him is just one big mistake on her part) is no different. She sees it as a test of her new maturity, just another burden to force some strength into her still-frail shoulders. That's why when even Naruto- Naruto, who can make friends with a block of ice if it will stay frozen long enough- gives up on Sai, she takes a deep, frustrated breath, clenches her fists until her nails bite though her gloves and skin, and tries again.
She has, after all, always been a glutton for punishment. No one can chase after Uchiha Sasuke for so many years without developing a bit of a masochistic streak.
---
ff.net link is here.