Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any characters.

He could see the tears in her eyes. He hated doing this, letting people down. It wasn't his ninja way. He liked Hinata, he really does, but she's just…not the one. He doesn't feel right when he's near her, or when she's in his arms.

They were dating for two months, but now here they are...at the doorstep of the Hyūga estate, with Hinata with tears in her eyes, and Naruto looking like a clown.

"I'm sorry, Hinata, but It just didn't work out. I didn't work out." He reached to touch her shoulder, but she turned as if to dodge it. She was mad obviously.

She wiped the tears from her eyes, but she didn't look up at him. "I'll see you around, Naruto." She turned and left, not looking at him once.

It felt like someone just shot him. He was guilty. The relationship could've worked out…he just never allowed it to. He never allowed himself to move on from…her.

"I'm sorry I broke my promise, Hiashi-sama." He didn't even have to turn. He could sense his stern chakra. "Whatever you want to do to me, I deserve it, and I'll take it without a word."

"Look at me Uzumaki-sama." Naruto widened his eyes at Hiashi's words. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't mad, but I would also be lying if I said I did not admire your courage Hiashi spoke, making Naruto look up at him.

"You did not go through with the relationship, just because it was your nindo. You also cared more about her feelings, so you let her go." He turned to walk back into his house. "You are a good man, Naruto."

Actually, Naruto felt far from good. He felt like he let Hinata down. He didn't let himself move on. He's still in love with Sakura, and hopefully she feels the same way.

Xxxxx

The next day

Sakura waited for Sasuke at the gate, hoping she'd see he messy black hair and long black cloak in the distance. To none of her surprise, he never came, leaving her to stand there like an idiot.

She should've known he wasn't going to come…he never does. She gets her hopes up and he stands her up. He sends her an apology from his hawk. She doesn't know how many of those she has. Come to think of it, this is the third time this week that he's done that.

She hangs her head, saddened of herself for believing him, and walks away towards the only person she can talk to…Ino.

She knocks on the door with her signature knock to signal to Ino that it's her. Ino runs to the door and opens it with a smile, but it quickly fades after seeing Sakura's morose one.

She signals her to come in and starts to make some tea as Sakura sits on the couch. Ino walks over and sets down both teas. She light blows on her own before speaking. "Sasuke, isn't it?"

Sakura doesn't look up. The fact that she knows why she's sad is embarrassing.

Ino puts her hand on her back. "Look, Sakura, Sasuke isn't worth this heartache. He obviously doesn't care about you because he doesn't even make the time to see you, and he sends those stupid apology letters. He doesn't care…" Sakura cut her off.

"That's enough! You don't know a damn thing about Sasuke-kun!" Sakura snapped, making Ino chuckle.

"Do you love Sasuke?" Ino said bluntly. Sakura looked at her with confusion.

"Of course, I do, pig." She answers back coldly.

"You don't." Sakura looked at her again. "Your chakra is going wild. Plus, I'm a Yamanaka. I know you're lying because I can read your mind." Sakura was silent.

Shit, she forgot that Ino could do that. And the fact that she let her touch her back was a rookie mistake.

"Someone who is worth your heart, on the other hand, is Naruto." Sakura's heart started beating faster when Ino said that. "Your chakra got softer. Again, I can read your mind so don't even try to lie to me. You have feelings for Naruto."

Ino was such a master interrogator. Sakura hated talking to her.

"Maybe I have feelings for Naruto, maybe I don't." Ino glared at her. "Ok…ok…I have feelings for Naruto, but he's dating Hinata and I don't want to get between them. She's been waiting too long."

"Actually, they broke up. Naruto told me." Ino said as she took a sip of her tea. "Sakura, you need to realize that Naruto truly cares about you. You need to give up your stupid fantasy of you and Sasuke together and start planning for the future."

"But he's been named to be the next Hokage. I don't want to burden him with my troubles, he'll already have enough to worry about with the village." Sakura said, taking a sip of her tea.

Ino turned Sakura towards her and looked straight into her eyes. "Naruto cares deeply about you. Hell, he'd even give up being Hokage for you, Sakura. Talk to him, you'd be surprised as to how much he's matured." Sakura was silent.

Truth be told, Sakura didn't know how much he's matured. Ever since he started to date Hinata, she avoided him. She was happy for them, don't get her wrong, but that was when she realized that she had feelings for Naruto. She didn't want to tell him and every time she got near him, she was a mess. So, the only thing that thought feasible was to avoid him.

She still couldn't talk to him though. She was sure of her feelings for him, but she still couldn't face him. This is so confusing…life is confusing. She thought that she'd never like Naruto, that she'd live with Sasuke and have a happy life.

Flashback

Mebuki turned her head to Sakura who was in the living room reading. She dried her hands with a towel. "I think that Uchiha is weird. Sasuke is his name, right?" Mebuki said, knowing exactly what his name was. She was friends with his mother, after all.

Sakura turned and looked at her mother with a surprised expression. "Don't talk about Sasuke-kun that way, kaa-chan. He's absolutely perfect." She spun around on her heals.

"I like the Uzumaki. He's going to turn out to be a fine man one day. I think you should go after him." Mebuki said.

Sakura gagged. "You've got to be kidding me."

Mebuki chuckled. "Whatever you say, sweetie. That Sasuke is so bland, but the Uzumaki has character. Variety is the spice of life." Sakura just rolled her eyes.

Flashback end

Xxxxx

The next day

Naruto couldn't get Sakura out of his head. He thought about her in the day, before he went to bed, he even started drawing pictures of her on the napkins Shizune gave him when she got him cookies.

He hasn't seen her in a while. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen her in almost a year, at least that's what it feels like. Ever since he started dating Hinata, she kind of just…disappeared.

What the hell? Why did someone just walk right into him as he was going into a store. He was about to give them a piece of his mind, when he looked to see who it was.

"Oh, hey, Sakura-chan. Sorry about that."

Sakura's Pov

"Oh, hey, Sakura-chan. Sorry about that." He reached out his hand to help me up.

I looked at it for a second before I took it, making my heart flutter. His hand in mine felt so…right. I didn't want to let go, but at the same time I need to get away from him.

"Hey, Naru-ku…Naruto." I can't believe I almost said that.

"Is everything alright? I haven't seen you in a while." He says to me. I feel the guilt build up in my chest. "I hope I didn't do anything to make you mad, since it seems like you're avoiding me." He scratched the back of his head.

"Trust me, you didn't do anything. I just…don't have the time to see you, is all. I've been hounded at the hospital." I think of a lie to get out of this situation. I need to leave now.

"Well if you ever have time…" I cut him off.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, but I have to get going to the hospital." I turn and leave as I wave back to him, breathing a sigh of relief. But as I look back, he's standing there with a sad face and his hand up in a waving motion.

A tear rolls down my cheek as I continue to walk to the hospital. 'Trust me, Naruto,' I think to myself, 'it's better this way.'

Tormint: This is going to be either a three-shot, or a two-shot, depending on how the story flows with me. The setting takes place 2 months after the Last Movie if anyone is wondering.

I came across this quote in English class. It's quote from William Cowpers poem, "The Task". I don't know why it intrigued me so much, but I'm happy it did because it lead to this story.

I'm working on my NaruKuro fic, but it's probably not going to be done until the end of the first week of June because of Exams. I also won't be updating until then, so be aware of that. I'll try to get as much writing done as I can with some free time, but I can't promise anything.

Anyway, I think I've rambled on for long enough. Don't forget to review, and I'll see you guys later!

Tormint out!