A Heart Broken, A Hero Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

"Talking"

Kyuubi

Inner Sakura

Flashback

"Flashback talking"

Thinking

Naruto and Sakura had become great friends in the time of Sasuke's absence. However, after two years of searching for him, his location was finally discovered. Naruto soon brought him back to the village.

Almost immediately, Sakura forgot about Naruto and began dating Sasuke. Even though her Inner Sakura knew Sakura's true feelings, Sakura unfortunately ignored her.

Ditch Sasuke! Go back to Naruto! You know you love him! Her Inner Sakura would say.

Naruto, however happy he was for Sakura's joy, was also pained by her choice. He sat alone in his apartment remembering when Sasuke had first been released from the prison.

Sasuke stepped through the door outside into Konoha, where Sakura and Naruto stood waiting. Sakura immediately embraced Sasuke, weeping. Naruto watched quietly, hiding his pain.

"Good to see you Teme" Naruto said to Sasuke after Sakura had calmed down.

"You too Dobe." Sasuke replied, followed by Sakura hugging him again.

"Well…I should be going…I have…things to do." Naruto replied sadly. He turned and walked.

"Dobe…" Sasuke started to say as he hugged even tighter by Sakura.

Naruto kept walking. And didn't stop until he reached his apartment.

That was a week ago, and since then, Naruto hadn't left his apartment except to buy food. His answering machine was filled with worried messages from friends. Normally, he wouldn't be so depressed, but the recent turn of events had left Naruto heartbroken.

His mind still pondered the decision that lingered in his mind. He finally agreed to do what he felt was necessary for himself. So one night, Naruto gathered a backpack with necessary supplies and made his way to the village gate. He turned to look at the village one last time, realizing that this decision would destroy his goal, to become Hokage. He finally turned back around, and left the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

The next day, Sakura and Sasuke came by Naruto's apartment with an invitation to train together. They knocked on the door, with no answer. As they knocked again, harder, the door swung open. They looked around to see a wrecked apartment. On the kitchen counter laid a note. Sasuke went over and opened the note as Sakura searched the apartment.

Sasuke's eyes widened at the note, and he called for Sakura. She came in and he handed the note to her. It read:

To whoever finds this note:

My decision to leave the village has most likely already been completed. It is best that I should do this, as I have too many painful reminders here. To Sasuke, I'm sorry that I left before we could have a real fight. To my friends, thank you for acknowledging me and making me feel wanted. To Iruka, thank you for being a brother to me. I will miss you. To Kakashi, don't let Sasuke leave again. Not after all this. To Tsunade-Obaachan, you have truly become a worthy Hokage to me. I'll miss you. And finally, to Sakura-Chan, you must have known that I have loved you, and that I would do anything to make you happy. With Sasuke, I know you can be happy. But this turn of events has pained me deeply, and I'm afraid that I can't stay. Goodbye to all of you.

Naruto

At this, Sakura wept, because she realized the mistake she had made and understood now that she truly loved Naruto. The next day, Sakura broke up with Sasuke. She showed the note to everyone mentioned in it. Those who knew Naruto were devastated by this news.

Naruto entered the forest, unsure of where he would go. He knew though, that everything that mattered to Naruto was at an end, and that if he returned, things would never be the same.

Are you sure about this? The Kyuubi asked.

I couldn't live like that. It was just too painful Naruto thought.

The end of chapter one. Chapter 2 coming soon. Comments are encouraged.