"Move it a bit to the right—no, you idiot, the one in your left hand. Okay, now just a tiny bit more—now you've lost it completely."

Sakura Haruno had her knees hooked over the back of her dilapidated armchair, and hung forward so that her head draped over the edge of the seat cushion. In front of her, a small television showed flickering black-and-white static on its screen. Her fiancé, Naruto, stood behind it, an antenna in each hand. He was moving them slowly back and forth, trying to find a signal. Suddenly, a grainy picture flashed onto the screen, and Sakura waved her hands franticly.

"Stop, stop! You've got it—hold it right there." Jumping up, she snatched up a roll of wire and wrapped it securely around the antennae, holding them in place. She turned the volume up to test it, and a crackling voice filled the room.

"…the rebels attacked a police station downtown, today, but thankfully the rebellion was quickly put down by Lord Uchiha's guard…" Sakura smacked the power button and the image shrank out of existence, leaving the screen blank and empty. Wiping her hands against each other purposefully, she strode over to the pile of half-unpacked cardboard boxes and began to unload clothes and books, piling them into a stack of wooden crates on their sides. Naruto moved energetically around the small flat, being largely unhelpful.

"I actually kind of like this one," he said. "It's a bit small, granted, but it's got character. And look, Sakura, we've got an excellent view!"

She joined him where he stood on their narrow bed, peering through a grimy skylight. Below, the grey-brown city stretched out towards the horizon, the tops of the tallest buildings obscured by a layer of smog that their six-story building was just shy of reaching. Standing on her tiptoes, she could see down to the street below, which was just as empty and lifeless as the shells of buildings. A few decrepit automobiles chugged glumly along, but most people trudged along the crumbling sidewalks. The colourless city was reflected in their dreary forms, as if they were a living incarnation of their home.

Sakura made a show of shading her eyes with her hand and squinting out the window. "Where exactly is this excellent view? I can't see it behind all the buildings."

"It's out there!" Gesturing exaggeratedly, Naruto smacked the back of his hand into the glass. "It's the city! Isn't it beautiful?"

"Sure, whatever you say." Sakura hopped down from the bed, landing lightly on stocking feet. "Personally, I think this is beautiful." Smiling fondly, she indicated a magazine picture tacked up next to her typewriter. It featured a palm tree, bent slightly over a clear pool. The sun, low in the sky, reflected its radiance in the white sand of the beach. Sakura sighed. "I'm moving there as soon as I can get a visa."

"You've said that a thousand times," Naruto moaned. "Don't you have any love for your native country?"

Rolling her eyes, Sakura plopped back down by her makeshift shelf and continued to unpack. "Personally, I think it'd be nice to live somewhere where the government and economy weren't so fucked up…"

"That's why we have to fix this country. All the rebellions need is some decent leadership—they've already got plenty of spirit. We could overthrow that Uchiha bastard for sure. We could establish a republic."

"Sure," she droned disbelievingly. "Naruto, you have to face the facts. The rebellions are being put down, and every oppositionist is either imprisoned or executed. People are losing the will to fight. And even if we did, by some freak chance, overthrow the larger, better-armed enemy, who's to say that another, maybe worse dictator wouldn't take the opportunity to seize power? Remember, we all thought that anyone would be better than the king, and look what we ended up with."

Naruto was unfazed by her pessimistic arguments. "You'll see, Sakura. We'll win, and we'll make you want to stay here forever!"

They stared at each other for a moment, his determined azure eyes locked on her cynical emerald ones, but their gaze was broken when a small, dark-haired girl ran into the room. She was thin, barefoot, and dressed in a large blue smock, and she flew in calling "Auntie Sakura!" Naruto picked her up and swung her through the air, then set her down next to Sakura, who smiled at her and pushed a stray strand of dark brown hair back behind the child's ear.

"What is it, Liberty?"

The girl pressed a small copper coin into Sakura's hand. "I found this, playing in the main room. Can you hold it for me so no one takes it?" Sakura nodded solemnly, not having the heart to tell her that it was a coin of the old kingdom, and not worth anything. Liberty smiled brightly before running back out to the main room that they shared with five other families. Sakura waited until she had left, then stood and turned from Naruto.

"That's the only thing that rebellions create. Orphans."

Naruto knew that he was on a slippery slope. How could he argue with Sakura now that she had brought this up? Finally he spoke.

"So what would you have us do? Live in peace while our nation goes to hell?"

"Yes. The rule will pass, and until then, we can survive. Things may be tight, everyone may be broke, rules may be tough, but at least we're alive. Humans can endure most things, but no one can live through a bullet to the heart." She stood, and picked up their paper bag of cooking utensils. "I'm going to go help fix dinner now." And, with that, she swept out of the room.

-

Naruto stood still for a moment, then sighed and climbed back atop the bed to stare out of the window. Looking at the same city, he saw something so different than Sakura. He saw innovation in the grimy smokestacks of the factories, and fortitude in the drab people trudging along the dreary road. The smoke and the grey cloud obscured the light of the sun, holding the populace in a kind of perpetual twilight, but it almost seemed to him that an inner fire illuminated everything. He did not believe in God, but he trusted in the strength and resilience of his people, and that became an almost spiritual belief, a guiding light in a dark existence.

Thinking of his fiancée, though, he turned his head downwards and stared at his hands hopelessly. She spurned the only light he could see, and, although she scorned the darkness, she seemed almost content with it; as if she was convinced it was the best life could offer her. His hands clenched involuntarily into fists with a simple determination. He wanted so much to show her this bit of hope that he relied on, but even he, who knew her best, couldn't begin to crack the defenses she had put up. So firmly did he trust his beliefs that he did not even imagine that her doubt was for her what his patriotism was for him.

Standing, he stretched, and when he lifted his head again, there was a hint of a smile on the face that had been troubled a moment ago.

"Don't worry, Sakura," he whispered, as if to a spirit. "I'll help you. I'll help you see the city the way I do."

-

The main room of the floor was large and plain, with battered, flimsy wallpaper, and an unfinished hardwood floor that seemed to only let cold air up between the rough boards. One wall held a decrepit gas stove; a yellowed, softly crackling refrigerator, and shelves scantily furnished with boxes and cans of black market food. A central table took up a large portion of the room, and some children were seated around it on mismatched chairs, drawing on scraps of paper with worn out stumps of crayons. Liberty was among those who still ran shrieking around the room in a vicious game of tag. Sakura smiled vaguely as she dodged a small boy on her way over to the cooking area.

"Good evening, Ms. Haruno." A girl no more than twelve years old stood by a bubbling pot, stirring it absently.

"Oh, don't call me Ms., Sonja." Sakura smiled gently at the girl. "It makes me feel old." She paused. "Where's Kurenai?"

"She went out." Sonja sipped the soup, then tapped in a sparing bit of rationed salt. "Said there was something she had to get."

"Here, let me take that." Sakura took the wooden spoon, and, setting down her paper bag on an empty shelf, pulled out a packet of soda crackers. "Use these to bribe the younger children to set the table for ten, for the first dinner shift. I'll cook this."

"Thank you, Ms. Ha—Sakura." The girl took the packed and walked over to the table. She spoke softly to the children colouring there, and handed each one a cracker. Soon the more rowdy children, led by Liberty, crept over to see where the food was coming from, and Sonja coerced them into helping, too. Sakura watched approvingly—Sonja really had a way with children.

Hearing someone climbing the stairs, Sakura turned her head automatically. She grinned as she saw Kurenai's unruly black head crest the landing and heard the sharp clicks of her heels. Stepping up onto the floor, Kurenai greeted the children, then strode over to where Sakura stood.

"Where were you? Your daughter had to take over cooking for you," the younger woman gently scolded.

"Sorry." Kurenai grinned apologetically. "I know this guy, sells decent food, but he only comes by here once a month. And look what I got." From the shopping bag she held, she pulled a small dead chicken. Sakura's eyes widened approvingly. "Cost me an arm and a leg, but I figured it'd be nice to have a treat."

"How much do I owe you?" The price of food was shared among the residents of this floor, and Sakura was wondering if her pocketbook could take the strain of many such treats. She hadn't been able to continue her career as a journalist since Itachi Uchiha had come to power, and Naruto didn't make much working odd jobs.

"Oh no, I'll pay for it," Kurenai insisted. "It was my choice to buy it, and I'll foot the bill." She smiled warmly at Sakura, who grinned back gratefully. Both Kurenai and her husband were still working regular jobs, so they had more money than most.

"Should we have it tonight? Sonja already started a vegetable stew—we could add it to that, to make it go further…"

"Sure." Kurenai sighed wearily. "It won't last long, otherwise, with twenty to feed…"

"Here, I'll start plucking it—you go take off your coat." Sakura took the chicken from the older woman and set it on an empty shelf. She yanked the feathers out fiercely and tossed them into the now empty paper bag. Kurenai crossed the room and entered her family's apartment to hang up her coat.

No sooner had Kurenai come back out of her room, then her husband, Asuma, came up the stairs, talking with another man, one whom Sakura didn't know well. She didn't know most of the people here, having just moved in, and all she could remember about this particular man was that he was married, had three children, and worked at the same place as Asuma. Seeing the men, Kurenai ran over and kissed her husband shyly, then turned back to Sakura.

"I really should go help…"

"Oh, no, I'm fine on my own, really. You two go on." Sakura knew that the two of them didn't get to spend much time together, both being busy with their work.

Grabbing Asuma's hand, Kurenai pulled him towards their room, then turned and mouthed 'thank you' to Sakura before dragging him inside. Sakura smirked to see Asuma's hand reach out and tug their door shut behind them.

She and Kurenai had been friends for a while, and it had been Kurenai who had invited her to move to this place after she had been evicted from her last building, no longer able to pay the rent. Other than Naruto, Kurenai was the only person who Sakura felt she that she could rely on completely.

"Hey, beautiful, what's this you've got there?" Naruto's strong arms reached around her and picked up the half-plucked chicken. "This what we're having for dinner tonight? Yum."

"Hands off!" Snatching the bird from his powerful hands, Sakura resumed plucking it and tried to ignore Naruto's warm breath on the back of her neck.

"Need my help?"

"Yeah, like a hole in the head." He waited, though, and finally Sakura conceded. "Alright, stir that stew for me, will you?" Sliding over, Naruto took the spoon in his large hand and began to rhythmically stir the pot. Sakura continued to pluck the chicken, pretending that she didn't miss his presence at her back.

"So," Naruto began, trying to sound casual.

"I'm not going with you to the meeting tonight, if that's what you want," Sakura cut him off. "And I wish that you wouldn't go either." She fiercely yanked out a handful of feathers and flung them into the bag.

Naruto swallowed somewhat guiltily. "Okay. Sorry. Forget I said anything." He went back to methodically stirring; casting furtive glances at Sakura when he thought that she couldn't see. He flinched when she pulled out a knife, but it was only to hack the now plucked and gutted bird to bits with a bit more malice than was necessary. She dropped the chunks of meat into the pot, and soon a pleasant aroma filled the room, drawing out the introverts who had been skulking in their own flats. They began to mingle in the main room, waiting for dinner. Kurenai came out of her room, straightening her blouse, and cheerfully took the pot.

Sensing instinctually that the food was ready, the first dinner shift began to line up with their bowls, and Kurenai ladled stew in. Sakura pulled out a loaf of bread and sliced it thinly, handing pieces to those whom Kurenai served. The youngest of the children ate first, along with the men who had just returned from work. Sonja and a few of the other women came over and helped to get drinks for those seated at the broad table, then withdrew to the outer walls to gossip and chat while the others finished their meal. As soon as everyone had eaten, they swooped down, relaying the table with fresh bowls of stew and seating themselves around it. Sakura found herself seated between Naruto and Kurenai, both eager to fill her ears with chatter, though the former was slightly more subdued that usual. She joined in happily, nodding and smiling when she hadn't heard their words over the din of the table. It was a moment before she noticed that Kurenai had asked her a question.

"Sorry, what?"

Her friend smiled obligingly. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to go with Sonja tomorrow to get our rations. Asuma and I both have to work, and she's too young to go out alone…"

"Of course. Liberty's been begging me to take her out, anyway… we might as well go get ours as well. Sonja will be no problem."

"Thanks." Kurenai turned to the woman on her other side, and Sakura half-listened to Naruto's excited chatter. Sonja caught her eyes shyly from across the table, and Sakura flashed her an encouraging grin. The girl, hastily cast her gaze downwards, but a small smile crept onto her lips.

-

That night, after the dishes had been washed and put away, Sakura lay, sleepless, in her narrow bed. She missed the feel of Naruto's warm body beside her on nights when he went out, and the loud snoring that nearly drowned out the soft breathing emanating from the small trundle. She rolled over, turning her back to where Naruto should be, and stared off into the darkness. The furniture and moving crates filling the room seemed to morph in the shadows into strange, ethereal beasts. She knew that she had to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes…

She lay in bed, her body wracked by fever. She tried to stand, but her legs would not hold her. Shivering helplessly, she retreated under her blankets and fell into confused dreams.

The door opened, and a young man walked in, his pink hair shaggy around his ears. His dark-haired wife followed, holding a little girl's hand. Both wore excited grins tainted with only the slightest hint of anxiety.

"Sakura, are you ready?" the man called, then, turning, saw her still abed. "Don't tell me you're still sleeping." He walked over to the bed, and smiled kindly, leaning over her. His hand rested gently on her forehead, then abruptly withdrew, as if he had set it on a lit stove.

"She's burning up! Get a cool cloth, will you, dear?" His wife nodded, her brow creased with concern. She hurried off to the small washroom, leaving the wide-eyed little girl with her father.

A knocking came from the door, then it opened and a blonde young man walked in cheerfully. "Sakura!" he called, and then "Oh, you're here already." He opened his mouth to greet the other man, but was cut off.

"She's got a fever. She won't be able to come, I doubt that she can even walk. And… someone will have to stay with her."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, but was broken as the woman returned with a damp cloth. Her husband thanked her, then knelt again by the bed and laid it across her fevered brow.

The younger man shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, glancing around in apparent mental turmoil, while the woman knelt beside her husband. They held a whispered conversation, of which Sakura caught disjointed phrases.

"—won't be able to march in this health—"

"Of course not, but is it really necessary—"

"—in case the condition worsens, to go for the doctor if need be."

"Maybe Liberty should remain here, too?"

"—the real question is, who will stay—"

"Alright, I'll stay with her!"

Husband and wife looked up as one, the same startled expression on their faces. The other man, who had been pacing restlessly, now stood with his hands balled into fists, having just shouted out, interrupting their hushed conversation.

"I'll stay," he repeated. "You two go march. I will remain with Sakura."

The elder man stood, and shook his hand with a sympathetic look on his face. "Thank you, Naruto. Take good care of my sister, hm?"

"Of course."

The woman stood, smiling a bit. "You wouldn't mind watching Liberty, too, would you? She's a bit too young to handle all the walking…"

"She'll be no problem," Naruto assured. He smiled down at the girl, who flashed him a milk-white grin.

"Thank you for looking after our family, Naruto." The older man nodded politely to him, and then he and his wife hurried out the door.

Naruto closed the door behind them, and leaned his forehead against it, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. After a few minutes, he suddenly, as if awakening from a slumber, reared back and threw his arms into the door, making the wood creak warningly.

"Damn!" He drew his arm back, and slammed his fist into the door, then pulled it back and shook it, wincing with pain and hissing curses beneath his breath. Liberty stood by the bed, eyes impossibly wide, watching him in a state between fear and awe.

"Naruto…" Sakura croaked from the bed, and then again "Naruto…" when he didn't hear her over his stream of profanities.

Finally noticing her, he crossed the room in a few quick strides and seated himself at her bedside. "What is it, Sakura?" he asked. His voice tried to be tender, but there was still anger in it, reflected in the creases between his eyebrows.

She smiled weakly. "Thank you for staying with me."

His face softened, and he smiled back at her. "You're welcome." He paused. "I shouldn't be so upset, I know… It's just some march, I'm sure there will be plenty others. It's just… I can't help but feel that something's going to happen without me."

Sakura reached out towards him with one hand and he took it and kissed it. She gently traced her clammy fingertips across his cheek, and his expression softened further. "I'm sorry you had to miss it for me."

"No—it's no trouble, really. You're much more important, Sakura."

She tried to protest, but fatigue overpowered her, and her eyelids fluttered shut. Naruto let go of her hand and it dropped to her side. He left her momentarily to softly turn on her radio, then returned to her side. Liberty sat beside him, and eventually she dropped off to sleep, too, with her curly head in his lap. He sat, a stoic protector, softly stroking Sakura's pink hair, as the soothing sounds of a symphonic orchestra filled the small room.

-

Sakura was pulled up from a shallow slumber by a hand on her shoulder. Drowsily opening her eyes, she saw Naruto's panicked face looming over her in the now nearly darkened room.

"What'sit?" she sleepily asked, and Naruto swallowed nervously.

"You should hear this," he said.

She realised for the first time that her radio was on, and a local newscaster's voice was filling the room.

"The march on our nation's capital was put down today as it quickly became a riot. Some are claiming police brutality, but the captain of the guard claims that it was in the interest of public safety, and that the rebels were armed. Deaths number in the hundreds…"

Sakura's eyes widened with panic and she tried to sit up, but collapsed dizzily to her pillow.

"My brother…?" she asked, although she already knew the answer.

Naruto shook his head sadly. "There were no survivors."

-

Sakura did not remember when she fell asleep that night, but when she woke up in the morning; her face was wet with tears.