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Naruto winced slightly as the words from the onyx haired man flew from his mouth. At first, they seemed foreign; unable to be comprehended. It slowly sank into his dense brain, the mechanics implanted in his mind slowly working as they spun, taking in the words as his eyes widened suddenly.

"Y-you what?" Naruto questioned, unsure if he heard correctly. Sasuke gave him an agitated glare as Naruto only seemed confused and shocked. The boy sighed, clutching the end of his white sheet as he looked away from the blonde.

"I said I love her, idiot." Sasuke bit his tongue. The words that came from his mouth didn't seem like his own. It was his voice; his tone, but not his words. Saying such things seemed ironic and odd on his tongue as he tried to understand the mere meaning of the phrase. Never had anything so simple disheveled the Uchiha's mind such as this. It was a mystery he would have to dwell on in his spare time, he concluded.

Naruto scoffed as he stood from his spot, his blue eyes looking down at his long time best friend. When it came to emotions, Naruto knew that Sasuke of all people was like a changing wind; Unpredictable and unable to be followed.

"Out of all these years, it finally dawned on you that you had feelings for Sakura-chan?" Naruto shook his head in disapproval as Sasuke moved his eyes to the blonde. "It's a pity she's over your sorry ass. Sorry Teme, but even an Uchiha prodigy such as yourself can't have everything..." The words stung, but he knew they were true. He had never treated Sakura with the respect and praise she deserved. Not until the very last moment had he realized she had loved him. It never crossed his mind. Then again, he never paid much heed to her; seeing her only as a fan girl, rather than a girl with emotions and ability. Sasuke grunted as his tongue clicked the top of his pallet, a sudden realization coming mind as he scolded himself for being oblivious; his bangs covering his obsidian eyes.

"You" he paused before continuing, gathering his pride as he swallowed hard; the thought sickened him as his voice was hoarse. "Still love Sakura, don't you?" He could feel his friend tense beside him as he heard his feet shifting on the floor uncomfortably. A sigh came from the blonde as Sasuke returned to meet saddened blue eyes.

"Yeah…I do." The blonde bit the inside of his lip, a sour feeling reaching his stomach as it churned unnervingly. "I can't let you hurt her again, Sasuke."

The situation the boys were in intrigued Sasuke greatly, never imagining it would occur. It was almost bittersweet. He and Naruto had fought often over small things, but over the pink haired beauty was a conflict in itself. The way he wanted Sakura was something he had never experienced; an unknown feeling that made his insides churn and cheeks flush. It was odd for someone with his demeanor and personality to encounter such strange things; but he was to accept it if he was to win the girl he loved, back.

"I won't hurt her again." Sasuke heard himself say as his own words reached his ears before he realized he had even spoke. He cursed himself, speaking without thinking. He wanted to convince Naruto that he was indeed, a changed man. How? He has yet to figure that out. Was breaking his friend's heart worth it?

Fighting; Hurting.

Tell me you're here?

Tragic visions have slowly taken me; stole my life.

I was cheated out of time.

"Don't let this be the end."

Silence.

How can we relight the flame that is cold?

"Only time can tell."

Thump…Thump…Thump.

These final waves are crashing on us.

Will you fulfill your promise?

Don't leave it broken at where we once stood.

The sacred memory is shattered.

"Help me pick up the pieces, Sakura."

Silence.

"I cannot. For you have them all…"

Sakura stood outside the hospital, her feet shuffling beneath her as she glanced around the small and run down facility. It wasn't Konoha, but she's seen worse. The doors beside her opened as she noticed a familiar shade of blonde, a smile reaching her face as she turned to meet her teammate.

"Naruto! How's Sasuke doing? Did the antidote work?" Naruto eyed her nervously, she noted, as he gave a small chuckle; he was out of character.

"Y-yeah, Sakura-chan. Sasuke will be just fine." Sakura nodded happily as she placed a hand on his shoulder, her head tilting to the side as she gave him a questioning look.

"And how are you holding up? Is everything Ok, Naruto?" She saw his blue orbs become wider as she inquired about his well-being. He simply shrugged her off, rubbing the back of his ruffled gold hair. He waved off her question has he walked ahead of her.

"I'm fine, Sakura-chan! Stop worrying so much, sheesh!" And with that, he walked away, out of her view.

"It's for your own good, Sasuke. I know you'll make the right decision. Regardless of what your gut tells you to..."

Sakura crossed her arms over her chest, blowing a strand of pink out of her line of sight as she looked towards the hospital. She supposed a quick visit wouldn't be horrible. Grumbling, she let her feet drag her to the Uchiha's room in annoyance as she knocked quietly on the door as she arrived shortly after. She heard a small grunt from the other side as she opened the door hesitantly, entering in silence as she shut the door behind her.

The pinkette gave a curt smile as Sasuke looked up to meet a familiar emerald. Her pink hair was in a loose braid down her back as she was adorned with a soft rose colored dress that went just before her knees. It hugged her waist fittingly and fell elegantly once it reached the area around her pelvis, giving her an innocent look. It was strapless and only had white cut-off sleeves to hold it up as it attached to the dress, hanging off her shoulder in elegance. She wore simple black flats to go along with her simple, yet stunning attire.

Sasuke grew pink as she drew closer, placing her hand upon his forehead in concern as she checked his vitals while looking at his chart in wonder. She nodded a few times before turning her full attention to the man before her. Sitting in a chair beside the bed, she crossed her legs as Sasuke gave her a curious glance.

"So, when do I get out of this shit hole?" The onyx haired man grunted as Sakura simply chuckled at his aggravation. It was always nice to see the Uchiha start the conversation; though rare. Sakura merely shrugged.

"Not sure. Seeing your charts and vitals, I would say by tomorrow." Sasuke gave a sigh of relief before he eyed Sakura's being; her glance a bit annoyed as she returned her attention to him.

"Yes?" Sakura shifted under his gaze. It seemed powerful and intimidating, though his condition was anything but.

"You got those clothes from Takashi…Didn't you?" Sasuke asked with slight venom etched in his deep tone. Sakura nodded, unaware of the obvious displeasure in his voice. Sakura simply scoffed as a giggle erupted from her throat suddenly.

"Oh please, like you care? Mine were dirty and he simply gave me something nice to change into." The girl placed a hand by her face, her fingers moving a stray strand of pink and twirling it in inquiry. "Are you jealous, Sasuke-kun."

The sudden suffix to his name hinted towards her sarcasm; her cruel joke. He gripped the sheets tightly as he bit the inside of his cheek. An Uchiha doesn't lose his façade. It's forbidden.

A pink eyebrow rose as she received no answer from the man as she stood and quickly sat next to his bandaged figure. She poked his chest roughly, causing him to flinch and glare at the girl hovering over him. She drew her face closer, Her emerald eyes gazing into pools of black as Sasuke froze in his spot; confused and enchanted by beauty and the smell of strawberries.

"You didn't answer my question, Sasuke."

How was he to answer?

A small lump formed in the throat of the man as he took note of the different shade of green in the girl's eyes. Without thinking he moved his hand to grip the girl's chin, causing a small jolt from the pinkette.

Sakura froze, her eyes widening as she watched Sasuke in silence, unable to comprehend his sudden actions. He was so gentle, so enticing; intoxicating.

This world is so fleeting.

"Catch me."

We lose sight of the truth;

Lose sight of what has hurt our hearts so much.

"I won't let go."

Through my eyes; do you see pain?

Silence.

It's clinging to my heart like a disease;

A deadly curse.

Put on the earth to fulfill our bidding;

Have we lost sight of what's important?

Has love taken our sight?

Or is hate our blindfold?

"Who will save us?"

Thu-…

"I won't let you walk alone..."

Sasuke leaned closer, his eyes closing as they began to haze over. The girl remained unmoving as the grip on her chin was released as warmth cascaded to her cheek, another large hand moving to her waist as she was pulled to him, their lips connecting. Time stopped as emerald eyes grew wide. It was a gentle kiss; passion? It was unfamiliar to the girl as she placed a hand on the man's chest before her. It was odd, the feeling he had given her. The same churning in her stomach she had felt when she was young was reoccurring. A lost emotion she never wanted to feel again. Or at least, for the Uchiha that had just claimed her lips as his own. His tongue gently pushed against her bottom lip, a sudden chill running up her spine as she shuttered lightly. The smell of honey and tomatoes filled her nostrils as she felt like she was on a high.

Without much thought, the girl returned the sudden affection by biting his lower lip gently, whimpering into his touch as he brought her closer to his built frame. She felt warm; safe. Everything she knew was wrong, felt so right.

The kiss lasted only a few seconds before the two departed from each others swollen lips. The girl gazed into black as Sasuke's breath hitched, his forehead moving to the girl's shoulder as he sighed. Sakura snaked her arms from his now lose grasp as they maneuvered to his head, raking one hand through his hair while the other rested around his neck. She listened to his breathing as it became ragged, her eyes showing slight alarm as she tried to look at the Uchiha's face.

"S-Sasuke-kun? Are you alright?" He didn't respond to her concerned questioning as he smiled.

"Finally…I can…Hear my name come from…those lips…Like they used to."

His mind went blank as he suddenly collapsed, the pink haired girl screaming his name in desperation as he lay, unmoving.

It is now that we see our feelings unfold.

Our senses were immune,

Our hearts; ignored.

"Please, stay with me Sasuke."

Thump…Thu-

No one can stop us; but ourselves.

We were frozen in time as the world changed around us.

Were we meant to be?

A changing tide; a shifting wind.

Things always change unexpectedly.

"I'm sorry…Sakura."

The hate that was born in our hearts fade.

Love flourishes.

Delicate are our emotions; our lives.

We lie to protect those we love.

Why are they always hurt in the end?

Silence.

The time to let go, is drawing near.

But the heart is strong, and will persevere.

"For you…I will do anything."

Believe it.