Alright, that last chapter was a bit interesting no? Who knew Kakashi could pull something like that huh? Well, I'm sure he could, he has a way with words at times, and since he has that trait, why not try it to break down someone whose shell is harder than steel?

Now then, yes it has been a while since I've updated, cause of many, many...things. I will let you all know that I don't have an extensive lineup for this story, but that doesn't mean that the effort I put into it will be cut short.

Anyway, I would like to thank those that reviewed the previous chapters and still retained interest in the story. Enough of my rambling, let us begin shall we?

Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto.

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The tears of the strong seemed to always be hailed as nothing more than a myth, a fable, comprised from the history of the people that desperately rivaled and fell to the tides of war and despair. For so long, had the strong been viewed to have had no weaknesses, the strength that many wished to have, and eyes to look beyond the blackened horizon. However, even the mighty are capable of falling into the depths of sadness, for those that battled against their inner turmoil, unable to unleash the pain that had built up. Suffering...was inevitable. No matter the hero.

This was a belief that had transcended through myth and history, told by those that bore witness to the amazing feats those heroes had accomplished. This situation was no different. Here, lying upon her bed, her shield fallen, and her blade broken, the struggle of her life invading the deepest reaches of her mind. The hot tears that brimmed and cascaded her cheeks, the soft sobs of her sundered soul, all brought upon her by the remnant of the days she wished she had been stronger. In turn, it...he knew what could break her down. Shatter the image she had so long portrayed herself to be. And now, in the arms of her friend. Everything...had crumbled.

How was it that, in this world, there existed those who could face everything? Whom possessed the ability to rise up to any challenge that was thrown and ascend to the pedestal in victory? And yet, despite the journey, despite the losses, the tragedies, everything that could demoralize a soul into jaws of oblivion, could they still walk with their head held high and not a single tear fell. Was it the fear of reveal? A reveal that would forever change the opinion of those around them? Perhaps, that too played a part within them.

'Anko,' The crimson eyed woman thought, 'I...I've never seen you like this.' Out of their longtime friendship, this has been the only time she had seen her friend weep. The first time she had seemingly lost everything, her fiery demeanor, her tough girl attitude, hyperactivity, and carefree perspective, crumbled beneath the weight of her wanting. Seeing someone whom she had admired in her life, one who was so full of strength and will, who had stared into the cruel eyes of adversity only to spit in its face. Kurenai could only hold her friend closer and hope that this tearful sight would come to an end. Questions raced through her mind as to whom or what could've caused someone so influential to fall into despair..

Within a half-hour, Anko had begun to settle down, slowly she stifled her sobs, and dried her tears as she leaned off of her friend, now able to support herself with her returning strength. Begrudgingly, she wiped away her tears, unable to bear the thought of her falling into such a state, to which, she groaned in frustration. She hated having to reveal that weakness, she saw it as a burden that she would always try to avoid. That strength was what mattered most, and to press on through the matter headstrong. It seems as if the enemy she was desperately trying to combat claimed victory once again, and with each battle, came the crushing defeat.

"Are you alright?" Kurenai asked suddenly.

"Yeah...I'm fine." Anko said as she climbed off her bed, doing her best to hide sneering face.

"You don't sound it." She blatantly replied.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

"Liar."

"Believe what you want." She responded gruffly.

Kurenai could only sigh, before conjuring her resolve, "You're not that difficult to read Anko. It's your stubbornness that prevents you from admitting when something is wrong."

"Tch."

"We've been friends for how long? 15 years? Do you honestly think I haven't picked up on anything?" Kurenai giggled as she placed her hands on her hips, victory was indeed hers. Anko could only rear around with her lips pursed, and her brows narrowed, comical as it was, she sighed in defeat. "Seems I've broken through...finally." She giggled again.

Anko could only stride herself proudly into her kitchen to fetch some breakfast, brushing off the supposed 'defeat' as if it were a mere dream or figment. The breakfast turning out to be nothing more than a simple bowl of sugared cereal. Having poured herself a bowl, drenched it in milk, abd sat indian style upon her couch, silently munching away at her breakfast. Kurenai gently sat on the opposite end and stared at her as she ate. Anko's brows furrowed, knowing what was about to ensue. She could only prolong it as much as she could.

"Anko-"

"Agh! No." Anko replied quickly.

"But-"

"No!" She exclaimed.

"You need-"

"Nuh uh!" Stopping her friend short once more. Kurenai could only rummage through her dark locks in frustration as she tried to retain her composure through silent inhales and exhales.

"I'm not letting this go until you answer me." Kurenai stated calmly, "So you can forget any method of trying to sway my intentions." Bright crimson eyes meeting those of light brown, confidence and determination being the many strong suites Anko had come to know of Kurenai Yuhi, but still she chowed away regardless. Silence never appeared more unwanted, how this tension became almost tangible was anyone's guess.

"Why...why ask this now?" Anko said suddenly.

"The first time I've ever seen you like that. The first...time. Out of everything we have been through, out of the many years we have been friends, not even during elementary school, had I seen that from you. If it had that much of an impact on you...then something is severely wrong." She explained.

"No, nothing's wrong. How many times do I have to tell you?" Anko replied, her furrowed brows now shifting to that of an aggravated scowl.

"And do you honestly think I'm going to let this just slip by? Come on Anko." Kurenai spoke softly, "It's not hard." She then urged as Anko sat her finished bowl down, and got up to put her milk and cereal away while lying the bowl in the sink. The Mitarashi could only come back and retake her seat, and with a calm exhale through her nostrils, she looked directly into her eyes.

"I had a dream," Anko started, gauging Kurenai's interest and intent; being that of intrigued.

Kurenai nodded, "Go on."

"That...I met someone" She began, as she tilted her head, staring down at the floor through the corners of her eyes, "...In a place that I had supposedly created; an escape...from the reality I had despised during childhood. Even-"

"Orochimaru."

"Don't say that fucking name!" Anko growled through her grit teeth.

"The only way to get passed it...is to face it...to run away from it, will only make it that much more unbearable." Kurenai implied, "Was this someone you created as well?"

"Y-yes, I know, but I've gotten passed it. I hate being reminded." Anko muttered.

"Who is he?" Kurenai inquired, shifting the subject back to what it once was.

"He...is someone that I apparently created...a person that I imagined as a friend before you and I met. And, according to him, a persona that I liked best." Anko continued.

"A persona that you like best? Like in a brotherly fashion, friendly...or even a love interest...?"

"I don't know. All I know is, that he easily picked me apart, one by one, telling me of my hardships, the type of person I was, how strong I came to be, all that kind of crap." Anko shook her head unamusingly.

"What else did he tell you?" Kurenai asked intriguingly.

"That," She sighed and then turned away once more with a frown hidden well, "That this all might've been triggered out of envy...or even jealousy."

"Envy? And jealousy? Towards whom?"

"You."

"Me?!" Kurenai exclaimed, a bit taken back.

"He said that I was envious of you, because you had found someone that loved you for you were, and jealous, that I couldn't obtain the same thing. Having been discarded so easily by others, I convinced myself that I wasn't that type of person. That I didn't need it. But, seeing you in the way that you were, over time, it seemed to come back." Anko explained.

"Do you feel that way?" Kurenai asked.

"You know I wish you the best in everything, and I'll always be there when you need me. But, to answer your question...I feel," She sighed, "I dunno, maybe?"

"Maybe? It kinda sounds like-"

"Alright, fine. Yes...yes I am!" She shouted, her barrier finally shattering. "Are you happy now?! This is why I didn't want to talk about it! About anything!"

"It's alright Anko." Kurenai said calmly as she scooted closer, and embraced her friend, "There has been no wrongdoing."

"Yes! Yes there is!" Anko began to shout, only to have her friend place her hands on her cheeks, making her stare deep into her eyes.

"No there isn't."

"B-but-!"

"No buts!" Kurenai spoke loudly causing Anko to perk up before falling into the gentleness she had been renowned for, "There is nothing to be ashamed of, understand?"

"Yes." Anko nodded slowly.

"It's completely natural for us to feel this way. We all have tendencies that lead us to be envious, jealous, or anything towards another. It's what makes us human." Kurenai breathed lowly, "To be honest, I was always envious of you."

"Me?!"

"I mean, having that confidence, and that surefire will of yours, that belief that you will succeed if you give it your all. That's what you have. Very little do you doubt yourself. I wish I could have that 'Go Get'em' attitude. In a way, I've learned much from you." Anko could only blush slightly, but..., "I've got to ask," Kurenai started before her lips curved into that of a smile, "What's he like?" Anko deadpanned with a stare, for several minutes she just stared at her friend in disbelief, wondering how exactly the moment switched wavelengths so easily.

"I figured you were gonna ask that sooner or later." Anko groaned, knowing where this conversation was headed.

"Come on, tell me." Kurenai said nudging her friend.

"Well, he was dressed in an odd ninja attire." She said shaking her head a bit, "He had dark blue pants on, a green...odd looking, flak jacket...thing, a mask that covered the lower half of his face, and a headband with a steel plate covering his left eye." She then added, "And spiky, silver hair that slanted off to his left, and just dark colored iris'." As she described her...link, she began to feel an odd sensation overcoming her cheeks, only to hear the cheerful giggle of her longtime friend.

"Anko," Kurenai spoke, before giggling, "You're blushing." Anko's eyes could only widen and hide her face, covering her cheeks. "It seems, you do know what you want in a man."

"Heh?" Anko mused as she turned her head with a flat albeit comical stare.

"It seems you like someone whose mysterious, knowledgeable, and has a strong presence about them."

"...Don't quit your day job." Anko deadpanned.

"Oh come now Anko, don't be so melodramatic."

"Who said anything about melodrama?" Anko asked only to get a disappointing stare from her friend. "What?"

With a drawn out sigh, Kurenai could only shake her head. The hardheadedness clearly never knew the bounds of limitation. She often wondered if that renowned trait of her's was the key to her success or to her sudden downfall. Still, she met with the confused look of the Mitarashi, thinking of a way to get her out of the house until it dawned on her. "Oh! I know! You should come out with me, Shizune, and Temari tonight. It'll be great!"

"Aw-w-w-w come on!" Anko groaned.

"NO!" Kurenai shouted sternly as she closed the gap in between her friend, their faces just inches apart, "You're going." The attitude she had now adapted rivaled that of her own, and honestly, it scared her a bit.

With a sigh, "Fine." Followed by a groan, "Pushy pushy."

"Good!" The Yuhi mused, her happy persona returning once more, "We'll be leaving here at five. And I'll stay to keep ya company." She then giggled.

"O-o-o-o-o-oh joy, my severely bipolar best friend keeping me company. I think you need help more than I do." Anko mused, her usual smartass tone returning once more. To Kurenai, at least it was a step in the right direction.

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Alrighty, so there's Chapter 3. I had to add a little bit of humor to an already bleak story, and trust me, it'll just downhill from here on. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed the read, and hope to get a review from you all. As they make me really happy. :D

Anyway, I'll see you guys next time!