I do not own Naruto....

#1 Picture Frame

Sakura sat on her bed, holding an old picture frame between her hands as she looked at the photo it held. Within, captured forever in a moment of Team 7's happiness, were all the original members. Looking down at the dark haired boy in the picture, she felt her heart throb in a dull, painful way. He was gone now...so far gone that it didn't matter anymore. Somewhere deep inside her mind where all manner of dark depressing thoughts resided, a voice kept saying he couldn't be brought back. Not alive at least. To her...he seemed too far gone for that.

Her hands instinctively tightened on the picture frame, willing the dark thought to be untrue, but the voice kept saying it was. Her eyes wandered to her blond teammate and a sad smile crossed her lips. Maybe it was hurting a little more because he was still trying. And as long as he tried she would try. But tomorrow...tomorrow...

There was a knock on the door that echoed into her room and she got up, checking through the door's peephole once she reached it, and saw the same mop of blond hair she had just been looking at. Smiling lightly she unlocked the door and swung it pen, saying in a slightly somber voice, "Hey Naruto."

"H-Hey Sakura-chan." he looked at her with beautifully blue eyes that were filled with nervousness and worry, and she felt her heart throb more painfully than before. "Just wanted to see how you're doing. What with the mission tomorrow..."

The mission...but it was so much more than that. It would be their last stand against Sasuke. The traitor. The boy who sought power. The man that now threatened Konoha.

"I'm okay Naruto." It was a lie. They both knew it. But it was somehow comforting to hear despite the lack of sincerity.

"That's good." he gulped, seemingly lost now. He was scared and uncertain and desperate. He was by far the worst off between the two and Sakura knew it. Knew it and wished it wasn't true. Wished he would be proud and confident. But she knew he couldn't be...it was selfish to think otherwise...so she would do what she could for him.

"Do you want to come in Naruto?" She asked, smiling understandingly at him. Surprise crossed his face but it was quickly replaced by a smile and nod. She stepped aside and he walked cautiously by, as if afraid the place would blow up. He glanced at the table and found the picture frame. How she wished she hadn't brought the picture.

"Reminiscing Sakura-chan?" he asked her with a forced grin, taking the picture in his hands and gazing at the snapshot. "Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll bring him back. We have to..."

But would he be dead?

Would they be carrying his body home?

Could he still be saved?

"Even if I have to-"

"No Naruto. No more sacrifices. Not on your part." She stated it simply but firmly, watching his back. It stiffened at her words then slowly, hesitantly, his shoulders began to quake. It spread throughout his whole body until he was trembling all over. Sakura continued to watch him sadly, then took a few steps towards him, wrapping her pale arms around his chest. His trembling sub-sided slightly and a small gasp escaped his breath, but Sakura simply buried her head in between his shoulder blades, basking in his warmth, "Don't stop Naruto...you've got to let it out. Don't stop because I'm here." she whispered.

There was stillness for a few moments. Then the trembling slowly began again and he grasped her hands with his own, glad for the comfort. A few hot tears splashed on their hands and Naruto would let out a shuddering gasp or sob. Sakura muttered whatever words of comfort she could think of, increasing the pressure eon him when the need arose.

"I'm sorry-"

"You're not allowed to be sorry that isn't your fault." She cut across. She wouldn't let him think that way if she could help it. "Turn around." Naruto nodded as Sakura reluctantly released her grip on him. Naruto faced her now, eyes red and puffy. "Better yet?"

"Yeah, I think-"

She hugged him before he could finish, pressing her face on his chest and wrapping her arms around him again. "...back..." She said, words muffled against his shirt.

"Hm."

"Hug me back!"

He smiled and rested his chin on the top o her head and tentatively put his arms around her waist. He released the breath he didn't even know he had been holding and smiled.

"Way better."

Neither knew how long they stayed like that and it would have been even longer if Naruto had not yawned. Sakura chuckled and looked up at him, "Go to my room and go to bed."

"Wh-What?"

"You heard me! I can't let you go through tonight alone! Besides you're way warmer than my blanket!" Blushing furiously he slowly, as if in a dreamlike state, headed for her room. He looked back at her once he reached the doorway, "Go on...I'll b there in just a second. I just want to get a drink of water." He nodded and sheepishly disappeared into her room. Sakura's smile slipped slightly as she looked down at the photo.

"This will be the last time...your last chance to come home Sasuke." she whispered to herself. She placed her fingertips on the top f the picture frame and gently put it face down before joining Naruto for an uneasy...albeit warm sleep.

There you go! Hope you all liked it. Please review, fav, and alert. I'm glad you're enjoying them!