(A/N: Here's another one-shot. Wow! I'm just wrapped up with Naruto one-shots lately. Can't really explain. Guess, I'm just in a Naruto mood. Anyway, take a guess at who's POV it's written from. Well, enjoy! I don't own Naruto.)

Tainted Hands

I don't deserve her.

I shouldn't be touching her with these hands that are stained in blood of the innocence. Hands that have done nothing but reaped blood and death on my path of destruction.

To allow me to touch her with these cursed hands would surely distinguish her light. Light so bright and pure, she was able to change the entire shinobi world through optimism and determination alone.

It was better that she fell in love with that Hyuga clan heir. I am not blind to the fact that he has been infatuated with her for years. He was someone who has thought of nothing but her wellbeing and happiness. Someone who would love her unconditionally, no matter what. Someone who would not taint her.

As for me all I did was run off in my own desire for revenge, seeking any opportunity to attain it, even if I had to sell my soul to the devil. Seeking revenge simply because I was selfish and weak. I couldn't cope with the pain. Not like her.

She was strong in ways I was not. No matter what was thrown her way, she would brave through it, move forward with a smile on her face. I was truly envious of her because that was something I simply couldn't do.

It's why I can't touch her with these hands. Hands that know nothing but destruction. Hands that have committed many sins from desertion to chronic backstabbing betrayal, from murder to threat of genocide. And most of all, cold, tainted, unforgiving hands that have hurt her and attempted to kill her on multiple occasions.

I ended recuperating the feelings of my other teammate. I love her, but I'm not in love with her. Not like I was with her. I doubt any women could truly replace her in my heart.

But who am I kidding?

I'm the man who betrayed her.

The one who hurt her.

Tried to kill her.

And even then, she sacrificed her arm for me, forgave me, and still called me her friend.

I could only offer a self loathing, bitter smirk. A tainted soul could never be with someone so pure and forgiving, or else I would merely end up destroying her. I would only end up corrupting her, deflowering her, and ultimately breaking her.

I have no right to be next to her. To be with her.

My only duty to atone for my sins against her is to protect her from the shadows. To watch over her, her future husband and kids, and to ensure the happiness that has been long overdue for her.

That's all this broken man could do.

That's all I should do...

I don't deserve her.

(A/N: Well, that's it! I hoped you all enjoyed this short, little one-shot. At first, this was going to being a poem, but I decided to change it for two reasons. One] I don't think I'll convey everything I want to say in a fifty word poem, and two] not good at rhyming at the spot. Plus, my mind was going to so fast, I had to drop the poem idea. I don't think I should ever do a poem. Not my style, just seemed good at the time when I first thought of this.

Ahem! Enough of that. I hoped you guys guess who's POV this is. Free virtual cookies if you do. Anyway, tell me what you think in a review and see ya!)