Title: Denial

Disclaimer: Naruto is property of Masashi Kishimoto.

Rating: K

Word Count: 420

A/N: This will be a collection of KakaSaku drabbles ranging in genre, rating, and word count. Feel free to leave theme suggestions when reviewing!

He was just being protective, he told himself.

And he let this explain why his eyes followed her wherever she went, drinking in the sight of her soft skin and pink hair. Watching her every move, captivated by both her warm tenderness and the sheer power lying just beneath the surface. Observing her mannerisms; her likes and dislikes. What made the corners of her lips turn downwards, and what brought on the tinkling laugh that sent shivers up and down his spine.

He watched her to make sure she was happy, to ensure that nothing was causing her sorrow. To protect her. As a friend.

Or so he told himself.

And whenever they were both assigned to the same mission, he would keep an eye out for her. He'd watch to be sure she wasn't over-exerting herself, pushing herself too hard. And if she were ever in direct danger, he would do everything in his power to eliminate it. Nevertheless, he would be the first to her side if she was injured, and would refuse to leave until she could convince him herself that she was alright.

He made it his job to look out for her; to keep her from physical harm and strain. To protect her. As a teammate.

Or so he told himself.

And when he saw her arm in arm with a new love interest, his brotherly instinct kicked in. He couldn't quench his thirst for information, for reassurance, for the knowledge that she wasn't going to get hurt. A flame was lit in the pit of his stomach, and once it began to burn there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep her safe. But he convinced himself that his desire to shelter her from harm was fueling this passion boiling inside him, not jealousy.

He followed her relationships to ensure that she was being treated in the way she deserved. To protect her. As a big brother.

Or so he told himself.

And yet he wondered, lying awake in the dead of the night, if there was something else. If something more existed, something beyond his loyal friendship and brotherly instinct. And he would almost feel the stirrings of a new, unknown emotion deep within, and his mind would stray back to her, though this time there was a longing in his heart, and all he wanted was to hold her, keep her safe, and never let go...

But he pushed these thoughts away.

He was just being protective, he told himself.

And it was a lie.