Survival of the Fittest

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Sasuke paced anxiously through his house, as thoughts bombarded his mind. What if something had happened to her? No even worse...what if someone hurt her? He growled in frustration.

The real question was why he was making such a big deal out of everything...most likely Sakura decided to ditch at the last second. After all...who could blame her...he was a cold hearted bastard. His blood boiled as he pictured someone going on a date with his girl.

Sasuke shook himself out of his reverie. When in the world had be become so needy...so attached to people? And since when had Sakura been his girl?

He heaved a grumpy sigh and plopped unceremoniously down upon his couch. It had all been a waste...everything. Sasuke glared furiously into the waning candlelight.

An icy breeze blew across his heart...he had been foolish...he shouldn't have opened up to her. That was his mistake...his one mistake. Throughout his life, Sasuke had never acknowledge the concept of "love." After all...love was for the weak...and he needed to stay strong to defeat Itachi.

Sasuke's lips curled in disgust. The person that he had once called "brother," had destroyed his life. One of the few people that he had ever respected...every cared about...had turned against him.

He'd learned a bitter lesson from his brother...one that he's used ever since. It was foolish to carry his heart in his sleeve. Sasuke knew that it was better to hide under a mask...a mask of glacial indifference.

The world was like a play, and the people were actors. And he was once of the best...no one...and I repeat...no one had ever penetrated the shield that guarded his heart...except a girl...a pink hair girl.

Sasuke's train of thought was interrupted by a light knock of his door. He sighed abruptly, it was probably Naruto...asking him for another cup of Ramen.

"Why can't that baka find his own food," he growled, flinging the door open bringing him face to face with Sakura. Sasuke blinked in surprise...he would have been more polite if he knew it had been her.

"Hey," he greeted casually, trying to keep his composure. He held out the door for her, "Come in," he suggested, when she made no sign of movement.

Sakura smiled tightly and walked in. Her mind was still trying to figure out who and what the mysterious young man had meant. However she gasped in surprise when she saw the decorations.

"He must have taken hours to prepare," she thought looking about in awe. The room was lit with luminous scented candles, and covered with bouquets pink flowers. In the middle of the room, stood a tiny table with a single white rose. "It's beautiful," she exclaimed sincerely, as she walked towards the table.

Sasuke flashed her a smile and offered her his arm, which Sakura quickly accepted. He was giddy with joy things were perfect...so perfect. If only he could block out that smile. The smile that she had given him...it looked so...forced...

He forced the thought away, as he watched Sakura sit down. She was an angel...his angel.

Sakura stared deeply into his eyes, almost like as if she could see into his soul. She hooked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and looked down.

"Here try this," he said casually, placing a small bowl of soup in front of her. It's delicious flavor permeated the whole room, causing Sakura to lick her lips in anticipation.

"Thanks," she replied as she carefully sipped a spoonful. "It's delicious!" she exclaimed looking up at him in surprise. "I never knew you could cook so well!"

Sasuke looked down at his soup, and realized that he wasn't hungry. "Of course it is," he said crossing his arms defiantly. "Since Naruto didn't try to help."

Sakura burst into laughter. "That's so like Naruto, always eating and eating...never giving a damn about anything else." Her eyes twinkled with enjoyment. "It's kind of funny trying to picture you as a cook though," she replied tilting her head slightly, as if trying to get a better look at him.

He was starting to relax slightly. Things were going pretty well so far. "Well, you don't know me that well," he pointed out evenly. "That's why you think it's so weird."

Sakura huffed with mock annoyance. "It isn't like you gave the us a chance," she shot back, personally enjoying the verbal sparing. "I've known you ever since we were kids...an yet...I don't know a thing about you."

Sasuke frowned lightly. She was right...they've known each other for so long...and they're almost like strangers. That was probably why she was hesitant about coming over.

"What do you want to know?" he said, casually leaning back against his chair. "It isn't like you've ever asked?"

Sakura stared down at her soup, trying to comprehend what he'd just said. He was going to tell her everything...surrender his soul and heart to her. But...she didn't feel like as if it would be right. She didn't love him...it would be wrong to lead him on like that...to lose his trust.

"Are you alright?" asked Sasuke his usual stoic expression crumpling apart, as concern flared across his eyes. He placed his hand over her petite one and held it tightly.

"I'll protect you," he promised looking her straight in the eyes. "Forever."

Sakura opened her mouth to reply, to tell him to save his love for someone else...someone worthy of him. However the door suddenly slammed open, shaking the whole house.

Sasuke jumped up in shock and instantly pulled Sakura protectively behind him. He groaned with disgust and anger. It was Naruto...that stupid idiot always ruined everything.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed angrily, until he and Naruto were inches apart. "I told you to STOP pestering me!"

He stopped abruptly when he saw Naruto's sad and empty eyes. Sasuke studied him for a moment, before his anger retreated. He had never seen Naruto looking so pathetic...so emotionless...so sad.

Naruto was known as the hyperactive ninja...the loudest and most annoying. However he was acting far from normal.

"Naruto-kun? Are you alright?" questioned Sakura, while she slowly walked up to him. "What's wrong?"

His voice was rough and dry, "I left her...the only person that cared about me. I let her go..." he muttered softly.

Sasuke retreated to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of Ramen. "This would definably cheer him up," he thought.

"Who are you talking about Naruto?" asked Sakura nervously, as she leaned closer to listen. A ragged breath...a whisper..."Hinata," he muttered burring his head in his hands.

"What!?" shouted Sakura, as she stood up angrily. "How could you? She loved you! And...and this is how you treated her!" she hissed furiously. "I never thought you were so cruel Naruto. I always thought you wanted people to care about you...to acknowledge you," she said through clenched teeth.

"How do you expect accomplish that when you treat everyone like shit! Especially the one and only person that would ever love you!"

Naruto slumped down against the wall, as he waited for Sakura to calm down. Although she was being insensitive at the moment, he felt like as if he deserved the every word of her tongue-lashing.

He had never thought that Hinata had a crush on him. Naruto hadn't purposely baited her or anything. His face was a mask of pain and disgust...self disgust. He hated himself more then anything...he had hurt the one person that cared...the one person that had ever stood by his side...the only person that he....he...loved.

His eyes widened with surprise. He loved her...didn't he? True love. He would stand and protect her with every ounce of his strength...and even offer her some Ramen at times.

Sasuke came over and offered him the nicely made cup of Ramen, "Here," he said gruffly as he shoved it into his hands. "Their eyes met momentarily."

Naruto understood, "Sasuke wanted him to go...to go look for her," he realized as he slowly climbed to his feat. "I'm going to go," he said unsteadily.

"Where?" snapped Sakura, giving him the evil eye.

"I'm going to look for her..."

Sakura gawked at him for a few minutes. "Naruto sure is a strange one," she thought, "I'll never be able to understand him!" She nodded reluctantly, before turning towards Sasuke. "Come on, we'll help you look for her."

Sasuke grumbled lightly, before nodding in agreement. After all, who had the guts to refuse Sakura when she was pissed? He added silently Definitely, someone that had a death wish.

"Let's split up," suggested Naruto, before he disappeared through the door. "Thank you..."

Sasuke and Sakura gapped at each other in shock. "Did Naruto just say something smart?" she muttered, rubbing her eyes in shock. "That's just creepy."

"Let's go," he suggested a he lightly tugged her out the door. The wind hit her full blast, causing her to shiver.

"Here," muttered Sasuke, as he wrapped his jacket tightly around Sakura. "Let's go."

And the two of them disappeared into the shadows...as the storm brewed...

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