Title: Fire and Ice

Author: Red Torch

Summary: Saukmo comes to the realization that he never stood a chance. Rated T just to be safe. Small amount of Sasuke/Naruto. Oneshot

Warning:FemNaruto! MaleSakura (Sakumo)! If you have a problem with that, then let me point out something – the back button's not only there for decoration, you know.

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Fire and Ice

I stared, drowning myself in pain. The agonizing sting in my chest heaved whenever I took a breath.

Maybe it would be easier to stop breathing.

I don't know or understand where I lost it. Where all hope disappeared and I stood no chance against the tidal wave that was Sasuke Uchiha.

Had I ever even stood a chance?

I could answer that. No. She had always preferred him, even when he had left her cold and in a motionless state of being where she was doomed if it hadn't been for me. Even when he told her he didn't want her-didn't need her.

I needed her.

I never understood what it was she liked better in him. I wish I knew so I could understand. Was it the money? His looks? Was it the way he was more indestructible than I was? Did she like him because of what he could give her, of what he could promise her with? Or was it because of me? Maybe I was too scary or maybe I was just a pathetic dog to her.

I couldn't give her anything but the love she didn't want.

I wish she could hate me. I wish she would tell me just to go away to never see or look at her again. To have her tell me I was a mongrel who had no business living in this world and that she wishes I would die.

But she doesn't.

Sometimes I wonder if she really does get a kick out of watching me squirm in pain. Or maybe she just thinks Sasuke likes it and keeps me around to keep him happy. Naruko isn't like that through. It just isn't in her nature. She would never want to hurt me.

So why?

Why do I stick around, day after day to watch her love him. Her eyes light up whenever she sees him and a blush coats her face in a blanket of scarlet. She wraps her arms around him and presses her lips gently to his. Then she pulls away and giggles about something that's related to him somehow I'm sure.

So why do I stay?

I ask myself the question that hangs in the air everyday and I can't think of any better reason than love. I love her. I can't find a way to be angry at her and that's probably part of the reason I take my problems out on the leech. Every time I see her my heart aches like a hole in my chest, wanting and wishing to be Sasuke. Wanting and wishing to be the one she looks up to every day and smiles then kisses. Wanting and wishing to be the warmth in her bed when she wakes up. Even though it kills me I have to be near her. Because if I didn't see her anymore I would lose it.

Because there would be no reason or point in going on.

There would be nothing to work hard for if I was gaining nothing. All this time I've always though I must be gaining some ground, that if I work hard enough she'll realize that he is a monster and doesn't belong in this world. That I am the best choice.

But I'm fire and he's ice.

Sure fire can melt ice but can't water douse fire? If this is true then what have I been doing this whole time? I have accomplished nothing. And I realize, with a burning flame of desire being cut open in the shell that was once my heart, that I have never stood a chance and never will. Because I'm not Sasuke I'm Sakumo. And because she doesn't love me she loves him. And just because this pain is something that will always be there no matter how I attempt to patch and fix it.

Because I'm Fire and he's ice. And nothing we can do will ever change that.

Kind of sad I know but I was feeling in a remorseful kinda mood.

R&R please, I love to hear what you think.