THE LONG GOODBYE

" But I love You. I've always loved you. Why can't we be?" She asked with tears swelling up in her eyes.

His answer, one of pure disdain, as if cursing the very notion of such a union."

"I hate you. You're weak and pathetic. Always were and always will be."

His reply was met with with shouts of disgust and disbelief.

No longer able to contain himself Kiba lauched at him, driving his fist into the right side of his jaw.

"You Bastard! You Bastard! How dare you say that to her. You Son of a Bitch! I'll kill you!"

As he was about to attack again, he was halted by an ominous cry.

"KIBA!!"

Shino had heard enough. His rage was clearly visible as his body began to petreude bugs. It was everyone to make everyone stop in awe. It was rare. Shino, always quite reserved and calm was showing actual signs of emotion. It was all too frightening to his fellow companions.

The atmosphere was at a boil. Kiba, Shino, Neji and even Ten Ten were all prepared to attack. Just when Kiba was about to charge he was halted by a slap across his face.

" Kiba," she muttered with her head bowed and tears falling from her face, "please leave him." He was reluctant to comply at first but on raising her head he was met with eyes so sympathetic, so full of pain that he no longer had the will to resist.

" I'm sorry," she said. " But he is right. I am weak, Iam pathetic. Why would he ever want to be with me."

With these words she sunk her head into her hands once again and began running away.

" Hinata, wait." Followed Kiba , no longer wanting to fight but only to console his long time friend.

Shino soon followed never taking his eyes off his opponent and one time friend, he uttered " Don't come anywhere near me again and don't you dare go close to Hinata." His words were a clear and consice warning and his eyes showed his murderous intent.

With everyone slowly dispersing Lee came and stood over him. His long time companion, his inspiration his friend now at his feet. His words were not necessary as his eyes said it all, their friendship was over and he was now all alone.

" As it should be," he uttered to himself. " I am nothing but a curse to those around me. To those who I hold through. To those that I love. Sasuke, Sakura, Azuma sensei, old lady Hokage and even Kakashi sensei. They all died because of me, because of what I am, what I carry inside of me. So many of my camrades are dead because of me."

Standing up he took one last look at the village. His home Konoha. His eyes flooded with tears he said " Goodbye. My home, my friends, my love. I'm sorry Hinata but to be with me is to welcome death and I cannot wish that upon you, upon any of you."

Turning he began waliking away, " I'm not just your friend anymore. I am and always will be nothing but a Jinchuruki. A monster. A demon cursed to walk the path of death and grief. My name is Uzumaki Naruto and from now and forever more I deserve to be alone."