Timeline Two

An image of Sai's face flashed in front of my eyes. My heart beat faster. I couldn't help but think of him… how he smiled at me… how he was so strong… of our occasional touch. I wanted more, so much more. I was blinded by Sasuke. I was oblivious to how much I loved Sai.

I realized in that brief moment that I loved Sai a thousand times more than Sasuke. With Sasuke, it was love and lust. But with Sai, it was one hundred percent love (though touching him every second of every day didn't seem like a bad idea).

I shook my head sadly. "Naruto… I can't."

"What do you mean?" Naruto was shocked, and I admit, so was I.

"I love Sai. I don't want to hurt him. Sasuke is… is evil. He has to die."

"I understand. Should we just leave him here…? Or should I…?"

"No…" I replied sadly, "I'll do it. I loved him, I caused this. I'll kill him myself." I wanted to do this, not Naruto. I didn't care Naruto had killed him before. And perhaps this was a waste because I had gone through all that trouble to save him… and now I'd just end his life myself. But, it truly seemed better this way.

Besides, now I knew I really felt about Sai. I let a sigh slip through my trembling lips. I shifted to pull out a kunai. "I'm sorry Sasuke…" I leaned in, kissing his lips.

Everything felt so right in that instant, but so wrong at the same time. This was my closure. My hand slid up, my lips never breaking contact.

Sasuke's eyes slid open. I lifted myself up. "I love you…" I whispered, "That's why I have to…" He only looked at me with understanding brown eyes. He seemed to tell me it was alright, that he'd never hate me for this.

I smiled weakly, and he seemed to return the gesture, but I couldn't quite tell.

My kunai flashed against the cerulean sky before crashing down. Black and red liquid splashed, painting the grass. My eyes shut close, and broken sobs escaped me.

I felt Naruto place a hand on my shoulder. He lifted Sasuke and I cried as we treaded slowly, woefully, back to Konaha.