I don't own Not Strong Enough by Apocalyptica either. I feel as though this story is lacking, and Chapter ten will be the last chapter. I'm glad you were with me this whole time, and I'll post the next chapter by tomorrow. But please, do enjoy.


I'm not strong enough to stay away

Can't run from you

I just run back to you

Like a moth, I'm drawn into your flame

...

Sakura avoided Sai for the rest of the weekend. This, in turn, upset him, to the point where he had to draw her every single day. He couldn't stand to be away from her, which he didn't really understand why, but his heart hurt without her there.

"Sai... you should go outside." Kurenai said to him the following day, holding onto her stomach. "You're even paler than you have been since we adopted you. What's wrong?" She sat on his bed, staring at him with worried eyes. He hadn't been eating anything for the past two days and he looked quite unhealthy.

"I don't know why, but I can't stand to be apart from her."

Kurenai's eyes softened. "Sai, you're confused about your feelings. Aren't you?"

Without finding his voice, the black haired boy nodded slowly. "Why does she make me feel this way? I felt... complete with her in my arms when we were dancing." He looked away from his adoptive mother, his eyes looking toward the floor. "I don't understand any of this."

"What happened to you before you were put in foster care, Sai?"

A sigh escaped his lips. He figured he was going to have to tell her sooner or later. Sai just didn't want to tell anyone, not even Naruto, about his dysfunctional past.

"From the day I was born, my father, Danzo, taught me how to block my emotions." Kurenai's eyes widened and she gasped, placing a hand against her mouth. Sai knew she would react this way, so all he did was roll his eyes and continue on. "My brother and I were mistreated severely if we were to ever laugh. Or show some kind of feeling, our father, did not approve of."

"When I was eleven years old, I was outside with my brother and we were having a good time. We weren't showing emotions, since Danzo was watching from the window." Sai closed his eyes and cringed, desperately trying his best not to let tears fall. "When Shin smiled, our father... drug him inside. And I never saw him again."

Kurenai removed herself from the bed and placed a hand on her son's shoulder. He looked up at her, realizing tears did indeed fall from his eyes, without his doing. "And then... I never felt anything ever again. Until I was put in foster care and met that knucklehead." He shook his head and chuckled quietly.

"You mean Naruto?" Kurenai asked softly.

"Yes, I mean Naruto. He's a very good friend. I don't know what I'd do without him." Sai smiled lightly and kissed his mother on the cheek. "I think I need to head out for a while. Is that alright, mother?"

Kurenai could only nod and she watched as her son walked out of the door.

Once the night air caressed his face, he sighed in content. He looked up toward the sky, the full moon shining brightly against the empty streets. Sai wished he had somewhere to go, or more likely, wished he could see her.

He placed his hands in his jean pockets, walking toward the park, not really knowing where he was going. His mother was right, he really did need to go outside. He hasn't felt this happy since the dance that Friday. He missed Sakura, more than he would like to admit.

"Sai?" Naruto asked, astonished.

Sai turned around and faced his blond friend, who was standing there with Hinata latched onto his arm. She looked positively beautiful this evening. But all he could really see was pink hair and emerald eyes, which was not the Hyuga standing before him.

Great, now it seems as though I'm obsessed with her. Sai thought, with a roll of his eyes.

"What are you two doing out so late?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

The black haired boy figured he couldn't really argue with that. Seeing Naruto and Hinata out on a date was a surprise, especially since it was so late. "I'm clearing my head. Tell me, have either one of you seen Sakura?" He asked, hoping one of them would have known something.

"No, we have not.." Hinata said, quietly.

Sai sighed and looked down at his feet. "I can't... stand this - this... feeling."

Naruto placed a hand over Sai's heart. "You mean love, Sai?"

"W-what? L-love?"

"Yes, love. The feeling of love for family, friends, and your precious person." Naruto smiled at him and patted him on the back. "You love her, don't you?"

Sai shrugged his hand off. "I do not love her. She is just a friend."

"Doesn't mean you can't love her, you idiot. And you think I'm the moron..."

Hinata smiled and nodded in agreement, causing Sai to suddenly become confused. His heart started to beat faster every time he was around her, every time he held her, and every time she touched him. Those books listed the possible ways to know you're in love with someone.

You have lasting dreams between you and another person. - Check. (A little weird at times.)

You start blushing and smiling when you see them. - Check.

You want to know everything about them. - Check.

You want to introduce them to everyone and to show them what you two are developing together. - Check.

You want to do anything to make them happy. - Check.

You'll feel empty when they don't talk you. - Check...

Basically, he did everything the books had said. His eyes widened a little in surprise, realizing his grave mistake. "I do... I do love her. How could I be so dumb not to realize this? After these weeks with her, holding her, being her friend, I have fallen in love with her."

Naruto smiled brightly and went back to Hinata, kissing her on the temple. "You better go to her man." He said, without looking back at him.

"I wish you both the best of luck!" The Hyuga said, waving and smiling softly.

"I will go to her, I'll talk to you later, Naruto." He nodded. "Hinata."

Sai waved goodbye to the couple and ran off, desperately trying to find the one he loved. And hopefully she felt a little something in return.