Sakura slammed her door and slummed down her door as she started sobbing. Naruto Uzumaki, her best friend had just left the village. She never could've expected it to end up like this. She knew Naruto wasn't given the best treatment in the village, but she never expected him to just get up and leave. She remembered all of the happy memories with him. How he always supported her through everything that happened. After a long day of work at the hospital, he would be there. When she needed him the most he was always there, except this time.

She got up, opened the door, and headed straight for the Hokage's office. She stormed down the streets as everyone stepped out of the way for her. No one wanted to mess with Sakura Haruno when she was mad. She burst through the door and revealed Kakashi staring out the window.

"I wondered when you'd get here."

"Where is he?"

"He's off on a mission."

"Don't give me that bullshit. Where is Naruto?!"

"Like I said, a mission."

"What kind?"

"The kind that takes 2-5 years."

Sakura's mouth was wide open. She couldn't believe that Naruto would accept a mission like that. And even more surprised that Tsunade allowed it.

"Why did you let him go?"

"Because he wanted to."

"And?! What about everyone who cares about him? What about-"

"Sakura."

"Huh?"

"I let him go because he wanted to. You know he loved you. He just wanted to get over you, so he left for your sake and his."

"That's-"

"The truth."

"But-"

"Sakura, I've known you since you were 12. For as long as I have known you you have been head over heels for Sasuke. But, after he left I could see it in your eyes. You had developed some feelings for Naruto. But, now since Sasuke is back you think you love him. But, you try and hide it. When you come to your senses... then we can talk about it."

"But-"

"Sakura."

"Ok."

Sakura left his office saddened. She walked back home and was greeted by Sasuke.

"Hey." He said in a soft tone. He silently embraced her. She felt warm in his arms, like being covered in soft pillows. She looked up at him and pecked him on the lips. They smiled but she was reminded of Naruto's smile. She started to break down crying. Sasuke stood there and let her soak his shirt. He just kept her in his grasp. After a while, he just picked her up and put her in bed, and let her fall asleep.

Sakura was walking hand-in-hand with Sasuke down the streets of Konoha. The pair were heading to brunch with the Konoha 12, aside from Naruto. As they arrived, everyone was doing what they usually do. Lee was chasing Neji to get him to fight him, and TenTen was sitting in the corner holding the bridge of her nose and shaking her head. Kiba was playing with Akamaru and Shino and Hinata was in the corner, Shino just standing there while Hinata was keeping to herself with red circles around her eyes, mostly from crying. Ino yelled at Choji to stop eating so much and Shikamaru was sitting there with his hands supporting his head. They sighed and walked in. As they walked in they noticed that everyone was staring at them, well more importantly their hands. They quickly pulled away and a slight redness appeared on their faces.

"So, how you all dealing with..." glancing at Hinata, "You know what."

"Fine," said Ino.

"He shall return soon enough to achieve the goals that he strives for." beamed Lee.

"It was a shock indeed," said Neji.

"Kiba? How's Hinata?"

"She's fine, just a little sad. But, don't talk to her she is kinda... iffy on speaking."

"Sakura?"

"Please change the topic," she said shakily. Hinata picked up on this. This is all your fault Sakura thought Hinata. After that encounter everyone just went back to eating and chatting except Hinata and Sakura, who were too focused on thought.

After the brunch, she parted ways with Sasuke because he had a mission that lasted a few weeks. She caught up to Hinata and tried to talk to her but-

"What makes you think you know anything about how I feel?" asked Hinata.

"I just-"

"Sakura, you had Naruto all to yourself. He loved you probably more than he loves ramen. But, that wasn't enough, you wanted handsome. You wanted Sasuke. Maybe if you acknowledged Naruto for all he'd done for you. He would be here."

"Hinata, I-I..."

"Do you have any idea how it feels for the person you love, to love someone else? And then, that person who they love makes them leave? No, so don't even speak to me. Unless you can somehow get him back. Don't come even 10 yards of me, and I'll know. So just screw off." She walked off in a huff. She was shocked, it wasn't like Hinata to snap. She tried to put herself in Hinata's shoes but, couldn't cause it was found too hard to even think about. She just went back home.

That night she couldn't sleep she just laid awake to dwell on the matter at hand.

If Naruto loved her why did he keep the promise? She soon realized that it was because he wanted her to be happy. She thought of all the reasons why Naruto didn't love her but came up with the same result he loved her. Was every answer. Maybe Tsunade and Hinata were right, that Naruto loved her. But, if he did why would he leave? Because she was dating Sasuke. He couldn't bear it so he left not wanting to be overwhelmed with jealousy. Or maybe to move on. Find someone else, have kids and die old with someone who loved him as equally as he loved them. But, no matter either she couldn't bear it.

She wanted him to keep being the number one most unpredictable ninja. She wanted him to yell, "I'm gonna be Hokage!" Every time she saw him. She just wanted him to see his smile, every day. She just wanted Naruto to come home. She felt as if all the bonds she and Naruto build were just cut, and discarded. She then remembered all the times she treated him badly, just for being him. She would punch him just for the sake of punching him, laughing whenever he would fail at something in training, and worse of all. Telling him that she loved him when she didn't. She couldn't think about that though. She had to think about the good stuff. All the laughs they shared, and... the night that they shared right before he left.

Flashback

Naruto and Sakura were coming back from eating Ramen and Naruto was walking Sakura home.

"Thanks for walking me home, Naruto."

He smiled.

"Of course! I couldn't let my best friend get lost in the streets of Konoha."

"Naruto, you think I would get lost?"

"Yeah!"

She slapped his shoulder.

"Ow!"

"That was for thinking I'm as dumb as you!"

"Hey!"

They both started laughing. But, Naruto stopped and looked at her. Confused she looked at him.

"Naruto?"

He started moving toward her. And pinning her against the door.

"And this..." His warm and strong breath clashed against her weak breaths. "... Is for making me love you."

He pressed his lips against hers. His soft lips felt amazing. Her brain was telling her to pull away but her heart told her to go inside. They came up for air and Sakura opened the door and went inside. And that night was a night of pleasure and heat.

Sakura woke up feeling extremely drowsy. She could barely remember what happened after they got to her house. But, she suddenly felt an arm wrap around her. She looked expecting Sasuke but was shocked to find a naked, sleeping Naruto. She suddenly looked under the covers and realized that she was naked as well. Her eyes widened. She quickly woke up Naruto.

"Naruto!" His eyes shot open.

"What? Huh? Where am I?"

"In my room!"

He suddenly realized his surroundings and looked at Sakura who was covering everything below her neck. His eyes widened.

"Shit!"

"I know!"

"Wha? How!"

"I don't know but this was wrong. So wrong, we should not have done this. I wouldn't even dream of this. You're like my best friend."

Naruto's heart sank.

"Yeah," he half-heartedly said. Luckily she was too busy worrying about the night before to worry about his tone.

"Naruto, we can't tell Sasuke. Or anyone. And definitely can't do it again."

"Yeah."

"But... can I kiss you real quick?"

"Yeah!"

She grabbed his face and smashed her lips into his. She pulled away after a few seconds.

"Yeah."

"What?" asked Naruto.

"I didn't feel anything." she lied. She felt everything. That kiss just felt so right.

"Oh."

"Anyway. You need to get going. Slip out the back window so no one will see you."

"Yeah." He jumped to get his clothes, got changed, and left feeling heartbroken. He knew what he had to do. He had to leave.

Flashback End

Now that she thought about it, she should've just stayed there with him. And break up with Sasuke later. But, her head was so stupid, that she thought logically. Love isn't logical, and she knew as soon as she kissed Naruto on her porch that she loved him. She just couldn't accept it. She wanted Sasuke to come home to be with her so bad and she didn't want to give it up, not after Naruto worked so hard to bring him back.

And with that, she just fell asleep.

Naruto started at it. He couldn't believe he did it. In front of him was a portrait of a certain girl. His artwork was a picture of Sakura, in all of her glory with a wreath of flowers on her head.

Naruto was checking in on Jiraiya's spy network. He couldn't stand being there with Sakura and Sasuke. Especially after that night. He looked at the painting in admiration. He let it dry for a few hours then rolled it up and stuffed it in his bag. He left the small hideout and headed to the next rendezvous point.

On the way, he started thinking of Sakura. Her face, her voice, her smile, her hair, and her emerald eyes. He could just stop, leave go back and be with her, as friends. But, it would hurt too much to be there with her. So he just stayed to honor his late sensei.