When he left, I waited.

I stood by the gates, and waited for word of his defeat at Naruto's hands. I studied under Tsunade, and waited for word of his capture by ANBU. I sat in my darkened apartment, and waited for word of his death, at the hands of his brother.

Two years have gone by, and nothing. What am I supposed to do? I've waited, I've watched, I've wished, and fretted, and it's only made me realize how empty I am.

I gave him so much, SO much. The only thing Sasuke ever gave me in return was the startling realization that I was a burden. I was worthless.

Since then, I've studied, I've trained, I've become one of the top Medical Ninja.

I strive to make myself into someone Tsunade will brag about. She can be proud of me. Maybe that will fill this void, and I can find my place in this village... without Sasuke.

All of this, and I'm still back at the spot he left me; a lonely girl on a lonely bench.

I sit in the place I naively consider 'our spot', and I recall the feel of his back as I placed my arms around him, reluctant to let him go. I felt his heart pound, and convinced myself it was because I was holding him. Really, it was more likely to pound because I was holding him BACK.

We've had a wet season in Konoha, and, to match the mood of today's excursion, it's raining. I turn my face to the sky, hoping it will wash away the shame and tears of having failed again.

I can't even remember his face. Only his eyes, black and red, but I can't place them. There are a few things I can remember, though. His decieving strength, despite his lanky form. His variable smirk. The way my heart dropped when he was nearby.

And I sit.

"Sakura?" A bright voice cuts through the raindrops, and attempts to warm my chill body.

A hand grazes my forehead, checking for fever. Fever? How long have I been sitting here?

As if to mirror my thoughts, "Sakura, how long have you been sitting here?" He sits next to me and I turn my face, cutting off his next question, answering it silently. No, I am not okay.

He wraps his arm around me, and I tiredly lay my head on his shoulder.

"You have a fever." With that, he stands and lifts me with him. He smiles kindly down at me, letting me know that my weight is nothing to him. Absently, he brushes my wet hair from my face.

"Oh Sakura, what were you doing out there?" He doesn't really want an answer. I can read him, and I know he can see my broken heart. His is broken as a result of my own selfishness.

I cause so much pain.

He stops at the foot of the stairs leading to my apartment, and internally argues with himself. I can see it taking place as I gaze up at him. Should I take her up? Is it appropriate for me to be there? She IS my teammate after all.

"Fuck it," and he ascends the stairs. At the top, I'm vaguely aware of him searching my pouch for my key.

I chuckle weakly, and motion for him to move me closer to my own door. I eye the jamb and whisper for him to tap. He does, and soon comes upon the hollow where I keep my key.

He opens the door in a short time, and I smile. He reddens. 'Yes, Naruto, I am still in your arms,' I think, too weak to harangue him about it.

With his help, my feet touch the floor. He turns to close the door, and I lose my balance, dizziness having overtaken me. He catches me, and braces me.

He laughes the laugh of a boy turning man, and looks at me sideways,"Guess I'm destined to be your crutch."

The words trickle to my brain and, in anger and shame, I push myself away from him and stumble to the couch.

"Sakura, that's not what I meant." I know it's not. I do. But I can't help feeling like that little girl I've tried so hard to leave behind. I turn and fall backwards over the arm.

He sighs. "You're not well. I'll help you up, and you can go change your clothes." He leans over me on the couch, and I can't help but marvel in my slightly deluded state. His teeth are REALLY white. And straight. I giggle at my own fascination with the fox-boy-man.

"What? Am I funny to you?" He is genuinely confused. My own silence isn't helping, but he knows I just don't have the strength. I shake my head and attempt words, but I just cough harshly.

"Oh, Saku..." I fight the blush at the nickname. Wait, why am I blushing? This is Naruto! He's called me that for years!

He sighs again. "I'll get you warm clothes, and while you're changing I'll make you tea." Off he goes, bouncing about like a hyperactive rabbit. His size is not an indication of how light he actually is on his feet.

In a moment, he's back, blushing wildly. He puts the clothes down and refuses to meet my eye. I grab his wrist with what drive I do have, and question him.

"I, uh, had to get you clean underwear. Sorry. Um, I'll make you tea."

"Naru..to?" He meets my gaze then. 'Go on,' he urges with his blue stare. "I don't want to be alone here." He smiles graciously and kneels at the side of the couch.

"Silly Saku, I didn't plan on leaving you alone. I'll be here to help you." He stands to make his way to the kitchen, and I look through the clothes he's picked out for me.

Surprisingly enough, he'd picked out toasty warm clothes and modest undergarments. He... was... a gentleman? Either that, or he was too embarrassed and just blindly grabbed something. I change quickly, trying not to stumble while putting on the warm training pants.

I hear something in the kitchen drop, and Naruto cursing. Grasping onto any handholds I can find, I make my way in. He's holding his hand, searching for a towel or dishrag.

"It's okay. It's just tea." His head snaps up at me, and he wears the cutest chagrin. 'Wait... CUTEST?! This is Naruto!'

"It's not just tea, Saku. It's your tea." He turns his attention to the tea on the floor, and a fatherly charm overcomes his features. "You're supposed to be resting!" He stands, and escorts me to the couch, carefully so I don't lose my footing.

As he stands and collects my wet clothes, he gazes openly at me. "For a MedNin, you're pretty dumb Sakura. You should know not to exert yourself too much when you have a fever."

He returns a moment later with a blanket and pillow. "When you're ready, I'll make you food. Whatever you want... sick girl." I blush.

"A new nickname already?" He grins a fox grin and shrugs. Without a word, he begins new tea in the kitchen.

My mind is awash with the last two years. Sasuke, Naruto, myself. I don't even realize I've begun crying again until Naruto is at my side, holding me gently. Some part of my is becoming aware of how attractive he really is. How strong, caring, funny, selfless.. and masculine. I breathe his scent and my tears subside.

"Saku, you don't have to cry like that. If you want me to hug you, just ask. Or... launch yourself at me, that works too," he says, trying to make me laugh. When he sees it doesn't work, he lifts my chin. "What's wrong?" Worry has now creased his brow, and strangely, he's even more attractive to me.

My heart pounds, and I shake my head slightly to overcome the daze he has me in. Finally, I breathe out, "I've forgotten what he looks like." It takes a moment, but Naruto soon realizes.

He is uncomfortable with this budding conversation, but he sees there is no escape from it. I am not alone, I see now.

"So have I. And I wonder, what have these last two years been like for him? Has something happened? Did he accomplish what he wanted to do? And I look at you, and realize how truly selfish he was. And I hate him." He brushes his eyes and stands up awkwardly. When he regains composure, he looks at me. "Wanna watch a movie?"

I shake my head.

"Wanna play a game?"

I shake my head again.

"Well, what do you want to do?"

I grasp his hand, and squeeze. He cringes, and I let go. That was his burned hand.

He sighs. He knows I'm tired, and emotionally raw. "Saku, I told you, you're not going to be alone today. I'm here."

I clear my throat. "Naruto. I don't want to be HERE." He looks at me, bewildered. He ventures an idea.

"Do... you... want to come to my place? I've got lots of movies, and games, and I'm right around the corner from a delivery place. You... uh... won't have to taste my awful cooking."

I smile. He's so sweet. Nodding, I beckon him closer. "We need supplies," I whisper, making this a game on its own. He grins.

"Let's make this a treasure hunt, then." I nod and reach for a sheet of paper.

scribble... scribble... nibble on pen... scribblescribscribble.

I proudly hand the map to him and motion to my bag by the door. "Ah," he exclaims, "My treasure satchel! This shall be an wonderful hunt." I giggle, and watch him play at piracy. Internally, however, my mind is in a different place. I am torn. He's sweet, and selfless. He's funny, and gentle. Sasuke was hard, unyielding. Naruto has always been here. And right now, he's here just for me.

I flash to him at the gates two years ago. "I promise." He did. he promised his life, just for me to be happy with his best friend, even though it tore him up inside.

I remember him at the hospital, wrapped and healing. "I promise." Even seriously injured, willing to bet it all for me.

All of this, even now, for me.

His head pops into my gaze and I start. "Done!" I smile and begin to stand, but damn dizziness. He braces me again. "This is going to become a habit of yours, isn't it."

I smirk up at him and whisper in his ear. "My hero." He reddens, and grins.

"I can't turn down a damsel in distress." He picks me back up, and shoulders the bag. Motioning for me to open the door, he double checks the apartment, and hides the key when we leave.

It's still raining outside, but I hardly feel the chill pressed against his chest. I hide my face when thunder rolls out of nowhere, and he protectively tightens around me.

Taking back alleys and side streets, 'so no one gets the wrong idea', we make it to his apartment. Up the stairs, turn left, down the hall. I mentally note the disheveld appearance outside.

Maybe this wasn't a great idea.

He presses his lips to my ear, illiciting a short gasp at his closeness, "You've seen nothing yet." Crap, I think he noticed my breath catch.

Opening the door, we step in.

Flick flick

"Damn, lights are out." A flicker of thunder lights his way as he brings me to his couch and sets me down. Man, this is comfy. I bounce, testing the comfiness. Scratch that, REALLY comfy.

I hear some rustling, and soon, Naruto comes back with a handful of candles and a box of matches. He sets them up on the table and lights them, placing each in various places around the room. He moves off into the darkness of his apartment, and lights a few more candles, to place in the hallway and other rooms. I take the time to analyze what I can see.

Neat, tidy. Not at all Naruto. A large painting on the wall. Kyuubi done with oils. Chairs in a comfortable circle around a central point, the coffee table. An open kitchen, stools at a bar counter. Of all things, Naruto seemed to be a neatfreak. A thick book on his coffeetable. The history of shinobi.

We had been assigned this in Academy. I didn't think Naruto had even read it.

"It's actually one of my favorites. When we were assigned to read it, I read it all in two days." He maneuvers around the couch to join me. "Everything is not what it seems Sakura."

"I'm beginning to see that now. How much of the you that I've seen is a lie?" What?! It's the only question I could think of, and I happen to think it's very relevant.

"Not much, actually. But I do think it's important for you to know why." He waits, and I nod for him to continue. "It's easier to concentrate on your goal when people don't expect much from you. So when I'm goofing around, people think I'm an idiot and don't give me hard assignments. It frees up my time for other things." I nod... dumbly.

"So... you're not a jackass?"

He laughs, "No, I'm definitely a jackass."

"But you're not...?"

He laughs again, "Sakura, I came to a point many years ago where I realized I wasn't going to get anywhere if I didn't make my own rules." I nod again, just as dumbly.

"But, you're still..."

"I'm still Naruto."

"Okay."

Seriously, how is one supposed to react when the person they thought was a moron really isn't.

Breaking the tension, however, will always be oneof his specialities. "So, what do you want for dinner?" I shrug.

"Mm... lemme get that menu for the place around the corner." He stands and make his way to the kitchen. Moments later, he's at my side again. He hands me the menu. "You pick."

"It's not Ichiraku?" He shakes his head, grinning like a kid with a secret. Thinking for a moment, he grabs the menu back. "On second thought, I'll pick!"

In a rare display of divine power, the light above his sink flickers on. "Let there be LIGHT!" he roars.

He bounces up, and turns on low lighting, taking care not to hurt my eyes.

I do another once over of his living area, and find it filled with art on the walls, a medium bookshelf filled, a meditation area on the north wall, and various weights and bars for working out.

My mind wanders into the area of 'I wonder what he looks like...' and I quickly hide the red staining my cheeks.

My own haphazard state has now been illuminated. "Erm... Naruto?" He turns toward me. "May I... use your shower?" He stares at me, then realizes what I'm asking.

"Oh, yeah! Down the hall, last door on the left." He motions toward the hallway, flickering with candlelight. I stand, shaky. He is instantly next to me. "Do you want some help getting there?"

I nod.

Walking me down the hallway, hands on my waist, allowing me some freedom of movement and independence of self, he stops and grabs a towel out of the linen closet. 'He has a linen closet...'

We make our way to the door, and he opens it for me, flicking on the light to reveal... a bathroom. Now, most bathrooms in Konoha have a standing shower, a small wash basin, and the standard toilet. Naruto's however, was heavenly. More so, the shower, which was an actual tub.

He chuckled and ruffled my drying hair. "I paid alot of money to have a tub. It's worth every penny. Enjoy, Sick Girl, I'm going to order food." I smile back gratefully, and close the door.

I turn on the water, thankful for having a friend like Naruto. I step in, inhaling the therapeutic steam, and reflect on my day. Wetting my hair, I find his shampoo, and work it into my hair. It smells like him, citrus with a hint of clove. I am instantly relaxed.

I find that a shower does the most good when one's heart weighs heavy. The haze of heat allows your mind to process information, and helps make those tough decisions.

I turn off the shower and step out of the tub. Wiping the mirror, I gaze at my reflection. What does he see in me? I'll have to ask him when I'm done here. Seriously, though, pink hair, green eyes, huge forehead... He must have poor eyesight.

Sighing, I tear my gaze away from the mirror, and wrap a towel around myself. His bathroom is nice, but it's small, and allows very little movement. My mind is dangerously venturing to a naughty place as to what movement this bathroom DOES allow. 'Ecchi Sakura.'

Stepping out the door, I eye down the hallway. Naruto is in the kitchen, I can hear him on the phone. I tiptoe across the hall, and open the door to find a bedroom. 'His bedroom?' I wonder. It seems to be. I close the door, and begin organizing my clothes. I find my gaze drawn to a mural on the opposite wall. A japanese sunset, sakura tree hidden in shadows in the foreground. All the emphasis is on the descending sun, I notice. It is simple, and beautiful. Like him, I've come to realize.

My knees weaken. Not from the fever, but from the onslaught of emotions that circle my brain in regards to todays events.

I've always known Naruto loves me. I've deluded myself into thinking it was just some schoolboy crush. Nothing serious. But now, is it the other way around?

In the time I've spent pining for Sasuke, have I overlooked my opportunity to be truly happy? I know Hinata loves Naruto. One would have to be blind not to notice. Would she ever forgive me for what I want to do at this moment?

As if on cue to break the timult of my inner Sakura, Naruto enters. "Saku? What did you want to drink? I ordered-" He halts and his breath catches. Shit. I'm still in my towel. His face becomes red and he lowers his gaze to the floor, coughing uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. I should have knocked."

I laugh at him then. Still a boy, but becoming more. "It's your apartment, Naruto. Who thinks of knocking in their own apartment?" I step closer to him, and he meets my eye.

I bite my lip, nervous now. "So.. uh... what is there to drink?" His gaze falls to my lips, and flickers back up my face.

He coughs again. "Um... juice, wine, sake... juice..." I laugh again.

"You already said juice. But, um, is wine okay?" His eyes are clouded over, and he nods dumbly.

"Sure. Wine is... fine. Heh." He lifts the phone back to his ear and walks out of the room stiffly. He doesn't think I'm listening, but I hear him order a moderately expensive bottle. "Burgundy. It's her favorite." He knows this about me, and yet, I feel like I know virtually nothing about him.

He puts the phone down on the reciever and I am behind him. My hands work their way around his toned waist, and I press my head against his back. He starts and turns, not breaking the embrace.

"Saku?"

I glance up at him, as innocently as possible. "I felt faint?" He chuckles and wraps his arms around me. I had never noticed in the last two years how he had grown. His chin rests on the top of my head now, my face buried in his chest, inhaling him.

"You're not going to be able to use that excuse all the time, you know," he murmers in my hair.

In a fit of defiance, I looks up at him, and bring my face close. "So stop me."

His eyes widen, and he breaks the embrace. "You should go get dressed, Saku. You're still sick."

I advance on him. "Make me."

He starts to back his way around his apartment, afraid to be close to me. I chase him, slowly, deliberately. "You know, if someone were to walk in right now, they may get the wrong idea."

I smirk, giving chase. "So?"

"So? I don't want people to think I'm a pervert... well... more than they already do!"

I stop, and mock think. "Who's to say it's the wrong idea?"

He stops, and gapes open mouthed at me. "What?"

In that rare moment of weakness from Naruto, where he's got nothing to say, I make my move to close the good five foot gap between us. I have to say, there's a good amount of pride that accompanies the act of making Naruto Uzumaki squeak. And even more when he scurries...

through the living room...

down the hallway...

and into the linen closet.

I smile as I open the door, my towel dangerously close to falling off from the chase. "Naruto, have you ever heard of a game called-" He squeaks again and off he goes down the hallway. An idea hits me, as he locks the bathroom door behind him.

Reaching the bathroom, I purposely trip, and fall heavily on the door, allowing a whimper to escape my lips. "Naruto..." I breathe, pain evident in my voice. I can almost hear the internal battle he's having right now. 5...4...3...2...

click

"Saku! Are you okay?" He leans down, and gathers me in his arms. I venture a glance at his face and worry has once again painted his features. I giggle.

"Gotcha! Finally!" And with that, I raise my face and close the already small gap between us.

And oh my... well worth the chase. Until... damnit, can he NOT be a gentleman?

"Saku..." his eyes are clouded once again, and I realize that both times, it has been with desire.

"Naruto?" I whisper huskily. He lowers his lips to my ear, and a shiver escapes me.

"You should REALLY get dressed." He pulls his head back to look me in the eye, and I find what I've been looking for all along. I quickly kiss him again, and stand.

As I turn to get dressed, he grabs my hand, and pulls me close. "I love you," he murmers into my hair. "I don't expect you to love me back, but I love you." He begins to walk away, and I turn to the bedroom again...

"Naruto?" He turns. I open my mouth to give him peace, and allow him into my life. And my towel falls. "DAMNIT!"

I run into his room, towel having been left discarded on his hallway floor, and throw my clothing on.

Walking out, I find that he is still in the same position I left him in, staring at the towel on the floor, mouth open.

I walk by him, and give him a quick peck on the cheek. I lean up closer and whisper in his ear, "You know what they say Naru, dinner before dessert."

He breaks out of his shock and grabs me around the waist as I try to pass, my back to his chest. "You... are... evil," he whispers huskily. I turn to face him.

knock knock

Is someone against me? What the hell? Here I am, trying to pour my heart out to my best friend who I've accidently fallen for, and we keep getting inturrupted!

He smirks at me, then, cute as hell, then lets me loose to answer the door. "Saku? Will you set the coffee table?" He motions toward the cabinets in the kitchen.

Confused, I grab two plates, and two wine glasses. Table set, he comes up behind me, linen napkin in hand. "It's a surprise," he says as he ties it around my eyes.

I can see light and dark, and note that he's now turned the lights off, and lit the candles. A bit more rustling, and clinking, and he breathes in my ear, "Take off the blindfold." I shiver subconsciously and smile.

Now, here's the thing. Naruto is a sweetheart, right? And he likes me, right? The coffee table is covered with a white cloth, two large taper candles at the ends, two equally filled glasses of wine, and a bouquet of flowers that wasn't there before. I eyeball him. "Nar...?"

He grins his famous grin and strokes my cheek. "I had them delivered."

"You did this... all of this. For... me?" I venture, too good to be true. He nods and digs his toe into the floor. Now, faced with this, I do something any sane girl would do. I launch myself at him.

He lands with a thud and a crack. "Oh! I'm so sorry. I didn't think your head..." He's shaking now, laughing.

"Saku, it's fine. I'm glad you like it." His nose crinkles with a rare display of unadulturated happiness.

"Like it? Like it?! I love yo-" I stop, and bring my fingers to my lips. Things have gotten serious, and he knows it. The subtle shift of tempo in our evening is noted by my half-utterance. I love him?

He smiles gently. "You love it, I know." Holding me so as not to hurt me, he shifts, and lays me on the floor next to him. He props himself on his elbow and gazes at me. He is so... handsome in that one moment, that I can't fight the urge to bring him close.

He takes my breath away with a single kiss, and I can feel the heat of something more spreading through my mortal coil. He pulls back. "I was thinking... about earlier. When you kissed me. I thought it was just the fever. I thought, 'Nah, man, Sakura would never do that in a million years.' Was I wrong?"

I shift my gaze to the table and bite my lip again. "Naru, you've been so... YOU for so long. You've been there for me when I needed you. You inspired me when I thought I was without a path in life. You're the reason I am what I am today." I close my eyes and sigh, heart pounding. Time to lay it all out. "When Sasuke left, I thought I had lost my reason to be. I thought he was gonna come back, and take me in his arms, and tell me he liked me. But... that was so long ago, and now I need someone to take me in their arms and tell me they love me. And that's just not him. That will never be him, and I don't think I want it to be."

I open my eyes and tentatively look at him, hopeful he won't spurn me. Wetness on my cheek causes me to flinch. "Can it... be me?" His eyes are squeezed shut, anticipating rejection.

I reach my hand up and thumb his tears. His eyes open now, half lidded and insecure. I smile. "Silly Naru. I don't know when it happened, but I think it's been you for a while."

His eyes widen and he smiles. I bite my lip again, afraid to say more. Afraid this is all a cruel joke or a dream I don't want to wake up from.

He leans down, his lips mere centimeters from mine. "You should stop biting your lip," he says, the dangerous light in his eye returning. "It draws attention to them." That said, he claims my lips and our fate is sealed.

Hours later, we crawl to the couch. I sip my wine to wet my lips a bit, and he stares at the forgotten food on the plates. "You know," he starts,"I had planned on wooing you a bit more with the food I picked out, but it's a moot point."

"S'ok," I shrug, "I'll eat cold food."

"Good," he smirks, "cause I haven't gone grocery shopping in a week, and this is all I have in the house." I laugh as he scratches his head.

"We'll go tomorrow morning before my shift, k?" He grins even wider, knowing that this is just the beginning.


Well, that's a second installment of my one-shotness. Um, if you have anye ideas on other couples, lemme know. PM me or IM me at forsakenkalika (AIM only), or heck, you can email me at .

This is my first NaruSaku, but I don't think it's too bad. It has an T rating, only for language, and implied sexual activity, but I figure, if you can handle some of the yaoi on this site, this is nothing.

Leave some love. Oh, and one more thing, I know that some of my characters are a bit... OOC, but I'm trying to make them more human, and not some manga/anime character everyone drools over.