Small puffs of frozen precipitation fell from the heavens in white clusters. The unforgiving arctic terrain was blanketed by a thick layer of alabaster colored snow. The small clusters of trees, and any streams that rested upon the land had also fallen victim to the unforgiving winter climate, and weren't spared of a new white coat. The chilly, icy air was nipping at the blondes face. Powering more chakura into his feet, he propelled himself onto another tree branch, leaving his companions behind him.

"Hurry the fuck up," He hissed behind him.

Kakashi sighed, catching up to Naruto. "Naruto. Getting worked up isn't going to help anyone, or anything." He was obviously weary about the demon cloak forming again.

Rather than replying, the fox-like man let out a grunt and sped up.

The scene that had occured infront of him only minutes before began to rewind itself in his head.

"Huh? W-what did you just say Sakura-chan? I think I heard wrong, could you say it again..?"

"I said I..love you, Naruto.." She spoke softly, her porcelain cheeks giving off the light, rosey tint that he had come to love as she continued,"I said Sasuke doesn't mean anything to me anymore," Her small voice became slightly stronger, "I must have been crazy to carry a torch to him for so long. Listen carefully when someone confesses her feelings to you!"

'She..she..'

Three and a half years worth of memories with the petite pink haired girl infront of him began to surface just behind Narutos eyes as he stared at her. Completely disoriented.

"This isn't the place to be joking around. It's not funny, Sakura-chan," He exclaimed before pausing for a second, dipping deep cerulean into glistening emerald, "What's going on?"

"Nothing really, I just woke up. Why should I love a rogue ninja who's a criminal? I'm not a child anymore. I can face reality," The face he adorned to no end smiled cheekily at him as she raised her index digit and continued, "So Naruto, you can forget about that promise you made to me. You can stop chasing after Sasuke, alright?"

His sky stained eyes widened slightly. This wasn't Sakura.

"Whats going o-" Captain Yamato began, only to be cut short by Kakashis motion for him to keep quiet.

"Sakura-chan, did something happen? This is all so sudden."

"Nothing happened!" She exclaimed, obviously frustrated,"It's obvious why I fell in love with you!"

'Naruto-kun..this is a once in a lifetime request..please..bring Sasuke-kun back!'

The half sobbing words of his twelve year old female team mate rose like bile in his brain.

He was knocked out of his wandering thoughts when the soft crunching of snow met his ears. Wrapping both of her tiny arms around him, Naruto had to stop himself from gaping once he realized Sakura was hugging him. The scent of a thousand strawberry fields filled his nose as she gently rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sasuke keeps getting farther and farther away from me," She was so close.."But Naruto, youve always stuck by my side and cheered me up," Hot breath flooded his nape as she continued, "Naruto, I finally realized..your true self," He couldn't remember a time when his heart had assaulted his ribcage like it was doing right now. "Even that time with Pain, you returned when you were needed most..The hero who protected the village. Today, everyone in the village admires you." God her voice was sweet. "And I'm simply one of them now. You use to be a prank loving loser. But now youve become a wonderful person. And Ive witnessed it all, first-hand," Her chakura flickered a bit, its energy darkened for a split second before she continued. If she hadn't been so close, he wouldn't have been able to hear her. Her small voice was barely a whisper, "Meanwhile Sasuke keeps adding to his crimes, and breaking my heart. Always becoming more of a stranger. But you Naruto..I'm able to be close to you like this.." Her small hand formed a tiny fist against his back.

This couldn't be happening.

"You comfort me. I care about you from the bottom of my heart-"

"Cut it out, Sakura-chan! This joke isn't funny at all!" He was gripping her shoulders, forcing her to meet his stern gaze.

"Why are you so upset? I'm just telling you I like you now instead of Sasuke. You know the saying, 'women are as fickle as the autumn weather'."

As much as the blonde wished it wasn't, it was painfully obvious now that the beloved girl infront of him was lying. He paused for a moment, analyzing her smile. That wasn't her smile. It was fake. It was obviously fake. Just as the string of bullshit she had just fed him. The constant mention of his rival proved to be just as fake as the look on her face.

"I hate people who lie to themselves."

Her facade fell. She stared up at him, no longer smiling. Jade bore into blue as her bright red lips trembled slightly.

"I'm lying to myself?" Her tone was even.

Nodding slightly, Naruto hid his surprise when she slapped his hand off of her shoulder.

"I'm the one who decides how I feel!" She was raising her voice, "If you hate me, just come out and say so! Don't just make up a convinient excuse,"

"But it just doesn't make any sense! You came all the way out here just to tell me that?" His tone had raised, meeting hers.

"Just to tell you?" She grew quiet for a second," 'Just'? You don't think it's a big deal for a girl to profess her love?" Sakura was practically snarling now. "I came 'all the way out here'? Of course I'd come all the way out here!" She sounded as if she was on the brink of hysteria, her voice raising at an alarming rate. "Sasuke! Sasuke! Sasuke! That's all you think about! Going after Sasuke and putting yourself in danger! Youre the ninetails Jinchuriki and Akatsuki is after you! Worry about yourself for a change! I'm saying it's not necessary to endanger yourself, just to chase after Sasuke! I want you to come back to the village now. That's why I'm here. That's all."

His gaze softened as he stared at her.

"I think it just sounds like a painful excuse. I know you pretty well, Sakura-chan."

"Then why don't you understand?" She was irritated, "I don't care about Sasuke now that he's a criminal. So the promise between us doesn't matter anymore."

"It..It's not just about the promise, Sakura-chan." His eyes met the thick layer of snow on the ground,"I kind of understand more now, about why Sasuke has become obsessed with revenge and is causing so much damage." He paused, then looked back to Sakura. "Sasuke loved his family, and his clan. Because his love was so deep, it's hard for him to forgive."

"if he were so devoted, why would he turn to the Akatsuki after defeating the unforgivable Itachi?" Kiba cut in. Sakuras green gaze remained on Naruto, as if asking the same question.

"That's not how it went down..What really happened-"

"Naruto." Kakashis warning tone sounded behind him. Naruto paused, remembering that Kakashi had told him about what Madara had said.

Everyones eyes widened slightly at Kakashis abrupt action.

"It doesn't matter, even if there's no promise between us anymore Sakura-chan. I personally want to save Sasuke."

Sakura hissed before turning quickly on the heels of her nin boots, "Forget it. I'm going back!"

"Lets go. Kiba, Lee, Sai." She called to the small band of shinobi that had accompanied her on her journey. Following her, the three men turned and began to leave.

Watching her retreating back, Naruto heaved a heavy sigh.

It was all so bittersweet, wasn't it? The girl he had loved madly from the start had confessed her love for him.

But it was a lie. A terrible, blantly apparent lie. As much as it pained him, and as much as he wished other wise, the blonde knew for a fact that Sakura wasn't his for the taking. Dispite the fact that he would swim across the ocean for her, and endure hell for the rest of his like just to see her smile, it just wasn't happening. He wasn't a fool to her feelings. He was completely aware to the way her gorgeous facial features would change whenever the Avengers name was mentioned.

Although, there was a time when Naruto had thought that perhaps the pinkette was within his determined grasp. This was immediately shot down when they later encountered the Uchiha at Orochimarus previous base. He wasn't ignorant to the way Sasukes orbs traced over her, and took in her every feature that day. He had witnessed Sasukes facade fall slightly when he realized that the simpering Sakura had died on that bench that memorable night. She was now an elite kunochi of Konoha, and a down right deadly force to be reckoned with.

Growling to himself, he yelled over his shoulder to the shinobi behind him, "How many times to I have to fucking say it? Speed up."

"Oi Naruto don't get so damn fussy!" Kiba grunted.

"It's your damn fault she's by her fucking self, looking for him." He shot back at the tracker, not even bothering to turn around. Kiba was smart enough to know to keep his mouth shut. However, he didn't agree that it was his fault that he, Lee, and Sai had all been knocked out whilst Sakura made her run for Sasuke. It was understandable for the blonde to be upset, but for him to be down right livid wasn't something even his sensei had expected. Letting out a sigh, Kiba lifted his head and stared at the setting sun.

If the medic were to cross paths with Sasuke, there was no doubt in his mind that blood would be shed.

Odds were against Sakura.