A/N: I do not own 'Naruto'.

That's it.

"You lean towards him.", he said.

"What?", replied the girl, dumbfounded.

He clarified," When he's present in the room, even if it's his back towards you...or he's with...company...you lean towards him."

Her bright eyes dulled, knowing all to well the 'company' her erstwhile unassuming, but observant friend referred to.

"Hmm..Is that so? Must be a subconscious reaction.", the girl said; even as her friend narrowed his eyes, unconvinced by her vague reply.

He wanted to continue speaking, but knew, from past experience, that the girl would shut down if he so much as mentioned the three dreaded words...

"Get over it."

Now it was Naruto's turn to be dumbfounded..."What?"

Sakura smiled, a pitiful imitation of the expression, and said," That's what you want to say, don't you Naruto?", she paused,"I know this isn't...healthy..for me..but I..I just...can't get over it. I will try though...for your sake...and for mine."

Naruto kept himself from grimacing, well, at least she acknowledged it, acknowledged him as a problem...an unhealthy habit, but somehow he knew better than to hope that she would follow through on the "get over it" part. Not by herself, at least.

"That...absolute..bastard!"

Hinata, startled by the sudden noise, peeked out of the kitchen at her disgruntled husband-to-be. With a sigh accompanied by a soft smile, she embraced him, caressing him with a sure subtlety that always made Naruto calm down.

As his shoulders relaxed on a soft sigh, Hinata gently led him to sit in the living room. After he'd settled, she prompted," Now, would you tell me what is bothering you?"

"Sakura". No other words were needed.

"Oh".

Hinata knew all about Sakura's situation; was appalled & saddened by it. More so by Sakura's unwillingness to remedy it.

"She used to be so lively, so vibrant", Naruto continued, almost wistfully," But now, all that remains is a shadow. With all that angst surrounding her, I swear she has lost faith in herself...as if she no longer believes in love, or that she can receive no other form of love than the twisted love that bastard has imposed upon her. She needs help...but won't accept mine. I'd know. I've tried."

"Sounds like how Gaara used to be," Kiba replied as he leaned against the doorway, Akamaru yipping at his feet." All that depressing emo stuff he was into, you know, before."

"Oi mutt! What in the world are you doing barging in my house unannounced?", Naruto yelled.

"Whoa! Easy there, ramen-boy! Just relaying the Hokage's message; she wants the Hokage-in-training, that is, you, to report to her at 6 tomorrow."

" p.m.?", asked Naruto, already dreading the answer.

Kiba didn't disappoint; he smirked," 6 a.m. Be there.", and poofed out of the threshold of the apartment.

Hinata's sudden exclamation halted Naruto's grousing about unreasonable old ladies,

"It's perfect!"

"What?"

"Gaara!"

Before Naruto could invoke his green-eyed monster as to Hinata's finding his red-haired friend perfect, she continued, "Perfect for helping Sakura."

Naruto blinked, then beamed at Hinata, " You're right! Gaara should know how to help her. Sakura's my friend and I will definitely have Gaara help her out, believe it!"

Man, this would be good..Gaara could definitely bring back the feisty Sakura...and he wouldn't crumble under her violent temper..or fists..or both. All that was left to do was get him here...or perhaps get Sakura to him.

Right, he had work to do. Transfer papers to order...Konoha medic help as a peace gesture to the ally village of Suna...hmm...that could work.

"After you report to Tsunade-sama tomorrow.", said Hinata, deflating his high-spirited demeanour instantly.