He had said no again. He said it rather rudely, like always but this time he was cruel. So like always she ran. She didn't know where she was running to just that she was running. It felt like hours and it probably had been. She pumped all the chakra she could muster into her legs as she ran. Then reaching a cave some where in the woods she settled down as it started to rain. She knew that if she tried to go out now she'd get sick so she waited, and as she waited she thought back on the day.

She had just come from training and was walking home to grab her money to do her grocery shopping. She didn't need to change seeing as she did that at the training grounds. As she had entered her street she saw him. Her dark knight, and perfect crush. He had just entered her street from the opposite end and was walking towards her. Boosting her speed she entered her house grabbed her purse and left her house just as he was walking past it.

"Umm Sasuke-kun where are you going?" Her voice was soft but firm. She'd had grown up considerably.

"I was headed to the market." He answered, sounding bored as ever. He didn't even pause in his step as she walked up to his side.

"Mind if I tag along? Just until we reach the market of course, seeing as I have some groceries to get." She knew his answer and didn't bother to look over at him.

"Hn, whatever." Yup he didn't disappoint. So she walked with him and once they reached the market she walked away knowing he'd be more then surprised. After all she usually followed him no matter what she said.

After and hour of shopping and paying off her credits she was heading home when she passed Ichiraku and realizing she was hungry stopped in to find Sasuke sitting at the booth. Stunned she went up ordered her usual and waited.

"I never thought I'd see you here. I thought you hated ramen." Shrugging as her food came she began eating. Once she was done she paid, said her thanks and a quick goodbye to Sasuke and left.

"There, shopping is done, groceries are put away, and now I'm bored." To remedy her boredom she went for a walk. As she did so her feet took her to a playground she used to frequent when she was younger and her parents were alive.

Sitting on a swing she began to lightly push herself back and forth. She could smell the rain coming in but right now that didn't matter. All that mattered was that she hadn't done anything stupid around Sasuke today.

"Aren't you a little old to be playing on swings?" He voice, smooth as silk and cold as ice still sounding bored with a little hint of amusement rang through the air as the sun began to set.

"Maybe, but I never really understood why one can't just enjoy the small little things that they once did." Shrugging she kept swinging and refused to look behind herself.

He landed on the swing standing before her replied. "It's because it's a weakness to revel in something so small and insignificant. You still haven't grown up." His voice was even colder now. It was an insult, one he never let her live down. She was the weak one. She was smart with no actual talent. And she was just there to make the team even.

"Yeah well it's nice to know that some places never change. At any rate what are you doing tomorrow?" She knew he'd say no but she didn't care it was worth a shot.

He knew it was coming and this time was the last time. "I'm not doing anything really. Just training and then I'm free in the evening."

"Maybe we should go out and get something to eat." She said it as if it was not big deal.

"Look, if I was ever interested in you I would have made a move. If I had any inclination what-so-ever to even try to date you I would have by now. But I don't, so why don't you stop trying, The only thing you do is slow me down, make me weak, and embarrass yourself on an almost daily basis. I'm tired of rejecting you. It was fun at first; seeing you cry and run off. But now, now it's just old and I've tired of it so do everyone a favor and stop." With that and a last cold laugh he jumped off the swing and walked away.

She sat there and watched the sun set and as soon as it was dark, she ran.

"I'm such an idiot. I never should have ever fallen for him. Oh well what's done is done; but it still hurts so much." With that she started to cry again. Her tears were those of sadness, anger, and loneliness.

Just as a sob racked her body she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind and hold her to a thinly clothed chest as the scent of pine trees, earth and a light dose of ramen hit her nose. The chest was warm and well toned but she couldn't see behind her to tell who it was. Whoever it was she was in no condition to fight them off. But right now she didn't know if she wanted to.

Sadly for whoever it was holding her that thought came and left almost instantly. She started to struggle as much as her body would allow. But her captor was too strong. Just as she was about to use the last of her chakra to bash him she heard his voice.

"Please, this once don't." She stilled as she felt the persons chest vibrate. She felt as if she should know him, as if it was painfully obvious who he was.

"Who, who are you?" As the words left her mouth she almost wished she hadn't said them. And instead of an answer she heard him sigh.

"For just this one moment, this one skip in time, let me be HIM. For just this single moment let me stay like this. Please?" And she realized who it was that was holing her as if his very soul depended on it. She realized just how much hurt he must be suffering for his normally cheery voice to sound so distant and sad. Sakura realized that Naruto was there to help battle her loneliness.

I'm not usually a supporter of this pairing but a picture I found on deviantart put this thought in my head. I'm more of a fan of naru/hina but I couldn't resist writing this at 12:45 in the morning. I accept flames and all that what not. I just ask that you review and tell me if you thought it's not that good. Here is the link to the picture I was given permission to post it on here. http:// miirumiyuki. deviantart. com/ art/ narusaku- 45051200 (highlight, copy, paste in appropriate place, take out spaces and then hit enter.)