Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto.


It was noon in Konoha, but for Kakashi it was early. Leaping at a rapid pace over roof tops racing to the meeting destination Sasuke choose. He had sent him an urgent message to meet with him. One thing Sasuke didn't do was exaggerate, or over emphasis things. An urgent message sent by the Uchiha meant life, and death.

Making it to the clearing, he saw Sai also leaping from the trees, and Naruto already standing impatiently glaring at Sasuke, who paid him no attention. 'Some things never change,' he thought.

Sasuke sensed them landing in the clearing. In his mind, he had already prepared himself for the fallout with the guys. Naruto loved Sakura, and would dismember anyone who hurt her. Sai also cared for Sakura. She slowly helped him regain his some of his humanity, and helped him with his budding emotions. Yet, their fury failed in comparison to Kakashi's. Kakashi would invoke the wrath of every god known to man, on one's who hurt his surrogate daughter. He just hoped they understood.

Turning to face his male teammates, shamefaced, he felt a terrible guilt weighing down upon his shoulders.

"Wait, where's Sakura?" Naruto asked, making Sasuke's shoulders sag, even more at Naruto's question; making him feel even worse about the whole messy affair.

"She's not coming," answering Naruto's question about the gem of team seven. "Besides this meeting has a lot to do with her."

He could already see he had Kakashi's and Naruto's full attention at the mere mention of her name. Taking a breath he saw their anxious looks on their faces. He knew there was no easy way out of this, and he wasn't about to hide this any longer. He loved 'her' and was damn well going to shout it too the world. He just needed them to be there for Sakura, when her world comes crashing down upon her.

"You all know I'm not one for small talk."

Naruto snorted at the obvious fact. Shooting the whisker faced man a glare, he continued. "The easiest way to tell you is to just say it." Taking a calming breath, he looked at them squarely. "I'm getting…married."

Immediately Naruto's grin spread widely and chuckled. He started congratulating Sasuke. His congratulation included phrases as 'You and Sakura decided to skip the whole dating thing, and it's about time.'

Sasuke did nothing but kept his eyes trained on Kakashi, as if expecting the man to attack. He saw he had already figured it out while Naruto was slower on the uptake. He could tell Sai also knew something was amiss, by the puzzling look that graced his face.

'If he was going to marry Sakura why wouldn't they tell us together?' Sai's thought. His thoughts were broken by a liquid steel voice asking Sasuke just whom had he planned to marry.

Everyone's attention was now on the copy ninja. "If you were planning to marry Sakura she'd be here."

Sasuke felt a small chill run down his spine, as Kakashi regarded him with coolness. Yet it was his one visible eye that made him feel like prey; just waiting for his predator to strike.

Naruto stepped back from Sasuke. "That's right she'd be the first to tell us."

Sasuke looked at Naruto's masculine, but child like sad blue eyes. They were filled with disappointment, something he hoped to never see again from his best friend.

"Why Sasuke?" Naruto asked. "Do you know this will kill her?"

"Naruto, I never wanted to hurt Sakura, but I can't keep pretending that there's no one else in my life."

"Your not be fair to Sakura." Naruto snarled

"Your right I haven't been fair to Sakura, or myself. It isn't fair that I continue put my life on hold, for her sake, and continue to let her believe in a dream that now has no chance." Sasuke ran this argument in his head at least a hundred times, justifying his every action. He truly never wanted to hurt Sakura again; Naruto had to know that. The girl spat blood for him, and gave him life when he was at death's door.

Kakashi's blood simmered to an all time high, but Sasuke had a point. 'You can't make someone love you, and I have no right to tell Sasuke he couldn't love anyone else besides Sakura.'

Kakashi had thought Sasuke's lighten moods and more talkative nature was due to Sakura's ministration. Apparently, this other woman was able to tend to his wounded heart. 'Damn it.' Kakashi thought. 'I just wished Sakura didn't love him so wholeheartedly.'

"So who is she?" Sai wondered. When had the great Uchiha started dating someone?

Sasuke brooding eyes snapped to life as he thought of his love. Even the saddened Naruto noticed the change in his best friend's demeanor.

"You know how they say opposites attract. Well Ino and I have been dating for the last year and a half," He answered."

Sai scowled at Sasuke's choice in female. Ino was a beauty and after many years, her annoying nature matured, but still it was Ino.

"Wow, her best friend that should go over well. You break the heart of a woman who has loved you for years, and go out with her best friend behind her back. Great going Uchiha, why not put a kunai through her heart, and get it over with," Sai popped off sarcastically.

Under the heavy scrutiny of Sai's scathing remarks, Sasuske's eyes wondered around for someone who understood he didn't set out to do this intentionally.

"Sasuke," Kakashi started being a voice of reason among the group; when he wanted nothing more than to just wring Sasuke's neck. "You could have handled this better."

"I was trying to spare her feeling." Sasuke countered.

Kakashi narrowed his visible eye. "Were you?" he argued back. "Spare her how? The way I see it, you chose to hide, letting Sakura still think that she had a chance. Now you say you're getting married, completely blindsiding Sakura. Sparing her Sasuke no, you may have very well killed any chance she ever had at becoming happy."

Kakashi words rang truth in his ears. Sasuke now saw he was in error. Indeed the news would blindside Sakura especially since the engagement will be announced in the Society section of Konoha News, on tomorrow. He shouldn't have hid his relationship. He should have given her time to get use to it, so she could finally let go of her feelings for him. Now she'll be humiliated, and talked about. Everyone knew her feelings for me. He had truly lead the lamb to the slaughter.

Kakashi could see Sasuke understood the ramifications, of his actions now. His usual cold onyx eyes could now see beyond his own ambition. He thought after the whole Itachi fiasco, Sasuke would be beyond thinking only of himself. Apparently, he still had a way to go, with his people skills.

Turning to leave Sasuke called after him. "Kakashi I'll be the one to tell Sakura."

"I know. No one here will do it for you."

Sasuke looked at the men of team seven, he knew they didn't hate him, just disappointed the way he handled things. But mainly they felt a great swell of pity for the cherry blossom. Yet he couldn't stand the silent treatment he was now getting. It was irony in his view.

"Naruto?"

"Sasuke you're my best friend, but if Sakura can't get through this, I'll still be your friend. But I can't forgive you." Naruto shook his head. "Not this time." Sasuke broke Sakura's heart before. He couldn't let it slide a second time.

"Excuse me, but I must clear Sakura's home of objects she can use to harm herself." Kakashi said looking pointedly at Sasuke. Sasuke knew it was time for him to leave as well, if he lingered any longer Kakashi would probably maim him. Besides, he had to tell Sakura before tonight was over. With those thoughts, Sasuke left the three men standing.

"Kakashi? Sakura wouldn't really hurt herself, would she?" Naruto asked.

"I don't know Naruto. In this situation, I don't know. But I know that harder you love someone the faster you fall, when you find that person doesn't love you back."

Kakashi vanished after the words spilt forth from his lips, leaving Naruto and Sai to plan how to take care of Sakura.

TenTen and Hinata stared slack jawed at Ino, as if she sprouted another head. TenTen was the first to recover.

"Congratulations, I'll visit the cemetery everyday, after Sakura stumps a mud hole in your ass."

"Ino…" TenTen was at a loss for words. The blonde had just announced to them that she and Sasuke were engaged, and poor Hinata was still in shock.

"Look TenTen, I understand what this means, but believe me I didn't plan this."

TenTen looked at Ino astonished by her lack of fear of Sakura's wrath. "Well if you think that excuse will fly with Sakura, then by all means you have my blessing."

Ino knew this wouldn't go over smoothly, how could it. In a way she was betraying her best friend, but Sakura had no official claim on Sasuke, more like unofficial. She was happy for once in her life, but she felt guilt for falling in love with the object of her best friend's affection.

TenTen wanted to be happy for her friend, but the thought of how Sakura will react, clouded that happiness. "Ino how did this happen?"

Ino had begun a story of how she and Sasuke came to be. By the end Hinata was misty eyed, and TenTen understood how the brooding Uchiha could fall for their loud mouth friend, but that still left the issue of Sakura.

"Poor Sakura," Hinata finally saying something.

"Yeah," Ino said seconding Hinata's motion. "It's the only thing that sucks about this situation." Ino said taking a drink from her glass.

Speaking of Sakura, she just walked through the door. She approached the table, still in her scrubs from the hospital beaming a stunning smile.

"Guys try to act normal. Sasuke wants to tell Sakura himself," she whispered as Sakura strolled to the table.

"Hey sorry I'm late, paper work." Sakura said plopping down next to Hinata.

"No problem." they all said trying not to be obvious. The three females forced smiles on their faces. Ino sat as her guilt ate away at her. This very well may be the very last time she and Sakura will ever break bread, or even speak to each other ever again.

They four friends sat and ate dinner, but much of it was eaten in silence. Sakura noticed the wired behavior of her friends. Ino was hardly speaking, which was way out of characteristic for her. Hinata she understood, but even TenTen was avoiding looking her in the eye. She was about to ask, but was interrupted by a hospital summoning. Apparently, a group of shinobi was at the gate severely wounded.

Before Sakura could leave; Ino unexpectedly embraced Sakura and a hug. "You're my best friend, and I love you. Please, always remember that." She whispered in her ear.

Sakura smiled, but knew something was terribly off with all the girls. Making her way out she glanced out the corner of her eye seeing Hinata was teared up and Ino openly letting her tears fall. She wanted to go back and ask but, there was a group of shinobi that needed her immediate attention.


Sakura admired her work. She was able to save all eight severely wounded shinobi; among them was Ino's father. Perhaps he knew why Ino was so upset. Making her way to the jounin she stooped down beside him where he was taking rest before reporting to the Hokage.

"Mr. Yamanaka, how are you feeling?" She asked making small talk.

He gave her a winning smile, not at all like Gai, and Lee's, but a handsome smile that told her he was quite the lady's man when he was younger. "Sakura, you did a great job as usual, I feel great."

Blushing slightly Sakura thanked him for the complement. "Mr. Yamanaka? Do you know if something is bothering Ino? She asked hoping to find out about the mystery surrounding the man's daughter.

Inoichi, sighed. He did know about the upcoming nuptials between Uchiha and his daughter. She had come to them days ago and explained the situation. Ino had voiced her concern for Sakura's well-being. It was now apparent Sakura was still in the dark, and he wasn't the one who would tell her, so he lied. "No Sakura, I wasn't aware that anything was bothering Ino, but I will ask if she doesn't threatened me with death again."

The two shared a laugh together, at Ino's temper tantrums; she would throw when her dad would get involved in her personal life.

With that out the way, Sakura packed her medical supplies, and headed for home. Inoichi watched the girl he could call a second daughter. He felt bad for the girl, because he knew of her love for the boy, but Ino was his real daughter. "I wish you happiness in the future Sakura, but my daughter comes first."


Kakashi lay in his bed and unconsciously wrapped his arm around Shizune that had nuzzled more into his bare chest. She knew nothing of the trouble Sakura was about to experience, or she would run straight to Tsunade. He knew his little Shizune, and she loved Sakura. She would try to stop any misfortune that would befall Sakura. He and Shizune weren't too different and that department.

Even now, it took all his will power not to go and stop Sasuke from speaking with her. Yet, it was the only way now. He so hoped Sakura would find love again the way he had with Shizune. He craned his neck to the box in the closet that belong to Sakura. For a medic he hadn't expected so much weaponry, not to mention several poisons. 'Sakura' he thought 'Don't let this ruin you.'

It was almost 11 o'clock once Sakura made it to her home. Once she entered, she felt a presence.

"Breaking an entry Sasuke?" she asked amusingly as she turned on a couple of lights. When she got no reply, she turned to face him. Sakura looked him over, his hair was disheveled, clothes wrinkled. But what had her was the rapid beating of his heart.

Stepping in medic mode, she sent a soothing chakra through his chest instantly calming him. "Are you okay?"

His dark eyes bored holes at her. The concern in her green orbs held so much love and trust. After finding love, he now recognized the flitting emotion. This was harder than he thought, and he needed to tell her.

"Sakura can you sit down I—" he sighed heavily. "I have something to tell you."

Sakura kept asking was everything okay the whole time he guided her to the tan couch. Sitting them both down Sasuke swallowed the hard lump that wouldn't disappear. It had been growing, and taking refuge in his throat since this morning.

Sakura was starting to get really worried about the usually impassive young man. This unusual behavior was starting to get to her. It was too out of character for him.

"Sakura, you know how sometimes fate can take you by the hand, and lead you somewhere you had no intention of going?"

Sakura slowly nodded, but had no idea what he was talking about. On top of that, his voice was filled with the only thing she can describe as fear, and regret.

"Some- - Sometime things don't turn out the way you want them to." Sakura took Sasuke's hand that had a slight tremble to them.

"Sasuke you're talking in riddles, and not making much sense. If you have something to say, just say it."

Taking his hand out of hers he stood and began to pace. "Trust me you don't want to know, what I came here to tell you." Standing up herself, Sakura stared at the pacing man before her. She was ready to call the men in white coats, but she desperately wanted to know what had her love so up in arms.

"Sasuke you can tell me anything."

"You have no idea. And I hate this, damn it I hate it!" He shouted as his fist connected with the dry wall that left a hole. He had to admit for a few seconds his anxiety disappeared. While Sakura jumped at the display of rage.

"Sasuke you're really scaring me, now just tell me what the problem is." She said cautiously. "We can fix it."

Looking at the beautiful and caring woman before him, he couldn't. She looked at him with such love and concern, how could he shatter her heart. How could he kill the hopes and dreams of this brilliant and vibrant woman she came to be? It was simple he couldn't.

"I' can't."

"Look there is nothing you can't tell me." She told him in the tenderest voice. Sasuke looked toward her and, she swore she saw tears in his eyes before turning his back to her.

He knew he had to tell her. He didn't deserve her devotion, he never had. The voice she used just now was meant to sooth another, and he couldn't let her waste another minute of that love on him. "Sakura this is by far the hardest thing I ever had to do. I would rather fight Itachi all over again than do this to you."

Sakura listened to his broken and desperate voice that brought tears to her eyes. She moved to go hold him, but he gestured his hand for her to stay, where she was.

"Sakura." He called to her. "I needed a woman to spend my life with. Someone who will help me rebuild my clan, but that woman isn't you." He heard her intake a breath.

For a moment Sakura felt her heart stop. She wished she heard him wrong, but his words were very clear. "Sasuke I know, you been through a lot during these last couple of years, but you shouldn't give up on your goal of rebuilding your clan."

"I haven't." He said finally meeting her eyes. "The clan shall be rebuilt, but it won't be you at my side. You're not the woman I love." He saw Sakura swallow a lump in her throat, and her chest heave up and down.

The pain of his words struck painfully in her heart, and her insides screamed. Plus she saw something in his eyes that said it was set in stone.

"What are you trying to say?" she asked amazed that she even found her voice. She knew what he was saying she wasn't dumb, but if there was a chance to get Sasuke back she would. She needed to know how far the relationship was along.

Turning his head back down he silently asked for the gods to give him strength. "Sakura I've been seeing someone, and she's the one I want."

Sakura stiffened at his declaration. She knew he was, but to hear him say it made it almost real in her mind.

"Don't… you think…you're being a bit hasty? She asked between gasps. Sakura could hardly breathe. She had her back to Sasuke, as he told her, just how long he had been in a relationship.

"So you see I haven't acted with haste." He knew this was tearing her up, for his own insides hated every moment of this.

"Sakura I never meant to hurt you, like this, but I will be wedding her."

'A year and a half,' she thought. How was she to compete with that? Standing there for a while, in silence, Sakura finally asked. "Who…Who is she?"

Sasuke bit his lip, until it bleed at that question. "It doesn't matter." He figured she have had enough turmoil for one night. He didn't want her to know it was her soon to be ex-best friend.

"No tell me."

Sasuke kept mum.

"Tell me, you at least owe me that much." She was holding her breath trying to keep her tears at bay, while gathering a major headache, but it was nothing compared to the pain that now resided in her heart.

Still he kept silent. Sakura wanted to wake up this was a bad dream now. She wished to wake from this horrible world. Once she woke up she could be with Sasuke and her friend, she could train with the guys, she fight with Tsunade, and she could sit and catch up on the gossip with Ino. 'Ino' she thought.

The last few moments with her today played in real-time in her mind. The crying, the declaration of friendship and love towards her, TenTen, and Hinata avoiding her gaze, all added up now. A sudden hate for the girl rose in her. Her best friend was the one.

"Ino." She said. Sasuke didn't have to confirm it, she already knew. "So she couldn't beat me at anything, so she takes the one thing I love more than life."

"It didn't happen like that." He finally spoke. "There was no malicious intent, Sakura. We just found each other."

"No." Sakura said. "It was supposed to be me. I was the one that had always been there." She whispered. "When she and everyone else had written you off, I was there defending you, loving you, while Ino told me I needed to move on, she sat there with me writing you off just like everyone else." Sakura was near hysterics now. She had long let her tears fall, but she couldn't face Sasuke it was too painful too, look at him now.

Sasuke took a breath; he couldn't deal with her crying, his heart bleed for her. Her tears were cascading messing up her beautiful face. How he wished Sakura didn't love him so much.

"I'm sorry Sakura. I never-" He knew what he was saying was all valueless to her right now. "I just wanted you to hear this from me, and no one else. Tomorrow I will make an official announcement, plus it will be in the newspaper."

She wished the ground would have swallowed her up right now. Her legs could barely support her. The rug had been pulled from under her, and now she was falling endlessly into an abyss that had no end.

"I am sorry, but I hope you can forgive me, and find someone who will love you, the way you deserve."

He went to Sakura's slumped form that was still standing, and squeezed her shoulder gently. He made his way to her door and opened it giving one last glance of the broken hearted kunoichi. He leaned against the door once he had closed it.

Inside Sakura was trying to comprehend everything that didn't make sense to her, but before she could she felt her meal regurgitate itself as she dubbed over empting the contents of her stomach. After rinsing her mouth off at the sink she began to walk, but everything seemed to move slowly. She felt dizzy, as she tried to make her way up the stairs but she sank down after the second leaning her head against the railing. Her breathing became ragged and the tears flowed more freely, and all she could do was ask why. The thoughts of Ino and Sasuke invaded her mind, as well as the thoughts of everyone who knew her. They would laugh and taunt her to no end. The shame and humiliation would come full circle. The jeers and laughs became so loud in her ears until, her inside erupted.

She let out a blood curling sob half scream, as she wrapped herself in her arms trying to find protection from reality. Her sobs and screams became louder, as her pain grew deeper.

On the outside of her door Sasuke heard every plea and cry, "I know." He said "I know." He repeated before he walked off to his home.


This chapter was SOOO HARD! I'm not good with angst.

Anyway sorry for errors and grammar, BUT PLEASE REVIEW!

Well I'm finally updating. Spring Break gives me time that I need to update. Well Happy reading. Oh I don't own Naruto.