The show Naruto initially centered on a love triangle between three of the main characters. While Naruto loved his female teammate, Sakura, she was clearly in love with Sasuke. A lot of fans question Sakura and Sasuke's relationship. There were times Sasuke didn't seem to care about Sakura at all, and there were times when he treated her horribly.
No matter what, Sakura still held a place for Sasuke in her heart. Marrying him was her childhood dream. There was a part of her that refused to give up on that dream. She had grown to deeply care about Sasuke while they were teammates.
10 Sasuke calls Sakura Annoying
The relationship troubles begin with their first interaction with each other. Sakura criticizes Naruto's childhood and the fact that he grew up without his parents, seeming to completely forget that Sasuke doesn't have parents either. Sakura's love for Sasuke is called into question when she doesn't know anything about him.
Sasuke reacts to her criticism by calling her names. The look of sadness on her face is unforgettable. She really should have given up on him after that interaction, but she continued to carry her love.
9 His Ruthlessness during the Chunin Exams
One of the most iconic moments in their relationship occurred during the Chunin Exams. After Sasuke receives the curse mark from Orochimaru, he ruthlessly breaks Zaku's arms. Sakura stops him with a hug. Her reaction managed to stop him.
Her ability to stop Sasuke proved that he had begun to care for her; however, he showed a wave of ruthless anger that should have made her hesitate. She should have distanced herself from him until he'd recovered from Orochimaru's attack.
8 Leaving The Village
Sasuke felt obligated to destroy his brother. He needed to become stronger in order to stop Itachi. He saw Orochimaru as a way to achieve the power he needed and chose to leave the life he knew behind, including Sakura.
She offered to go with him, proving her great love for him, but he once again called her annoying, knocked her out, and left her sleeping on a bench. He left her and any future they could have together. She should have given up on him then, but she didn't.
7 Two-Year Separation
After Sasuke left, Sakura made Naruto promise to bring Sasuke back. Naruto decided to leave the village too. Naruto wanted to become strong enough to force Sasuke to come back, but two years passed before Sakura would see her teammates again.
Sakura should have made the steps to move on. With Sasuke gone for two years, Sakura should have found a new dream; Sasuke had abandoned his old life. Sakura should have strived to give up her love for him, instead, a part of her held onto him despite not being able to see the person he had become.
6 during The Reunion, Sasuke came across as cold & unfeeling
Naruto and Sakura both looked forward to the day they could be reunited with Sasuke. When they finally got the chance to encounter him again, he came across as cold and unfeeling. He no longer seemed to care at all for his former teammates.
There was a moment when it looked like Sasuke might have been willing to kill Sakura and Naruto. Despite this interaction, the two of them continue to regard Sasuke as a friend. They continue to love and care for the wayward shinobi. Sakura should have realized just how far Sasuke had fallen in that moment, but she still continues to love him.
5 Joining The Akatsuki
The Akatsuki had long been enemies of the Leaf Village. Sasuke hated the Akatsuki, an organization that his brother had decided to join. Everyone disliked and distrusted the Akatsuki organization, but Sasuke eventually decided to join the organization himself.
This decision should have forever separated Sasuke from those that he loved. He should have never been able to recover from this moment. Joining the Akatsuki made Sasuke an enemy of his former friends. As an enemy, Sakura should have completely given up her love for Sasuke.
4 Attacked The Leadership
After learning the truth behind his brother's attack on the Uchiha, Sasuke decides to target Danzo. Sasuke begins his attack on Danzo at the Five Kage summit. There he attacks the strongest ninja from all the leading shinobi villages.
Sasuke had potentially made himself an enemy to every shinobi in the world. Sasuke was probably no match for Danzo and the other Kage. To some degree, every village started viewing Sasuke as a threat after this moment. Sakura was still holding on to hope that Sasuke could be saved.
3 Tried To Kill Her
Sakura realized how far Sasuke had fallen, she realized he would have to be stopped. When Sakura tried to stop him, she froze. Her love for him prevented her from stopping the threat. Sasuke reacted quickly.
Sakura might not have been able to kill Sasuke, but Sasuke clearly wasn't as concerned about her safety. Sasuke had already killed many, including his own brother. The loss of Sakura didn't seem to mean much to Sasuke. Yet, Sakura would eventually forgive and marry Sasuke. This moment would have been the ideal moment for Sakura to give up her love for Sasuke.
2 Joined The Fight
With a great threat looming, the villages all joined together. Sasuke decided to offer himself and help the villages destroy the Otsutsuki. Sasuke's former classmates didn't know if they should take his arrival as a threat or not.
Sakura's reaction to seeing Sasuke was especially heartbreaking. There was a small part of her that was glad to see him, but mostly she looked unsure about her ability to trust him. Moments later Naruto and Sakura agreed to fight by Sasuke's side. Sakura was still giving Sasuke the benefit of the doubt.
1 Leaves Without Her
Sasuke's redemption was a long time coming. Sakura's patience paid off. When Sasuke decided to leave the village again, she offered to come with him, but Sasuke refused. He wanted a chance to atone for his mistakes.
While they had a touching moment of connection, Sakura was still left behind. She could have chosen at that moment to move on with her life. Instead, Sakura would continue to wait for Sasuke with no guarantee that he would ever be back for her.