"If I stop running away, where should I go from here?"
Sakura stood beneath the brilliant moon. The moon could not speak or give her the answer she wanted, but like a mirror, it silently illuminated her heart.
Gaara's words echoed in her ears. The confusion faded from her eyes, and a smile of newfound clarity touched her lips.
"Ah, I really am an idiot. At a time like this, all I need to do is look honestly into my heart, then move forward without fear."
"Why do I insist on changing other people? Why do I think I have the ability to change them? Why do I cling to such an arrogant idea and keep depending on others?"
"The past life Sasuke-kun showed me... that lesson was already painful enough, wasn't it...?"
"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I'm sorry to all the elders who cared for me, to the friends who spent their days with me, and to my comrades suffering right now. I can't change you. I can't change the world around us. The only person I can change is myself..."
"No matter how insignificant my strength is right now, I've decided to take a real step forward instead of going around in circles! Of course... this isn't another spur-of-the-moment decision. I've thought it through, and I won't cause trouble for anyone!!!"
Sakura told Gaara what she had in mind.
Gaara gazed intently at the girl before him. "Are you serious?"
Sakura did not answer, but her eyes said everything.
Gaara said, "If you're that determined, I can offer whatever help is within my power."
Sakura said, "Thanks... please find me somewhere spacious where no one will notice what I'm doing."
Gaara considered for a moment. "There actually is a place..."
Sakura had not expected Gaara to bring