Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

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The :: is indicative of Sakura's thoughts, and the ** represents Naruto's.

The // is equivalent to three consecutive periods. In other words, a pause or an interruption.

So Damn Insistent

Sakura walked slowly to the clearing where their morning training session was held. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, vibrant and lively, and yet it did nothing to brighten the place within her heart. She didn't think anything could possibly erase the darkness that had settled there since last night when she had found a crying Naruto shaking on her bedroom floor. The sight had been so pitiful and yet so endearing.

Although Naruto had refused to explain the cause of his tears, Sakura had known without having to be told. After all, she had found him lying naked before her mirror. The sight of his pale body before that lifeless piece of glass and wood had told her all she needed to know.

Naruto hated himself. He hated what he'd become. Despite the porcelain skin and the provocative curves that every girl would envy he was dying, writhing within a cage made of his own flesh and blood. Naruto, what have I done? What have I done to you?

Sakura stopped and covered her face with her hands. She let the tears fall one by one, although she had promised Naruto she wouldn't cry. She was supposed to be strong. He had made her swear to this. Despite hurting himself he had made her swear, swear to keep his suffering a secret that only they would share. He had ensured her that time was the only thing he needed to heal, not the concerns of others. He didn't need people worrying about him.

**"I'm sorry, Sakura, for being such a baby. I just need a day or so to accept // this. Tell the others I have a stomachache from eating too much ramen. I'll report personally to Kakashi-sensei tomorrow."**

She had wanted to stay with him then, but he had only patted her hand reassuringly and told her to leave. When she had insisted, however, he had bluntly admitted to wanting some peace and quiet. The look of anguish that'd briefly dimmed his face was what had convinced her to go. Because, at that very moment, Sakura had suddenly realized that Naruto didn't want her near him. Although he was adamant about not seeing the others, it was she he wanted most to avoid. Why? Was it because he still blamed her?

The truth was actually nowhere near this. But how could Sakura possibly realize that what Naruto couldn't stand seeing wasn't her, but rather the kindness he saw shining in her eyes. He couldn't stand knowing that she was kind to him because she still harbored guilt, or, worst yet, because his feminine self was more worthy of her friendship.

**I don't want her to look at me like this. I don't want her to smile at me when I'm like this, when I know that if it had been Naruto lying on her bed she would have slapped him senseless. But most of all I can't stand seeing her and knowing that I can never love her, at least, not how I used to. I can't stand knowing that she would and could never love me back, that no one ever could. Not like this. Never like this.**

**Don't cry. It's stupid to cry. That doesn't solve anything. Tears won't change you back. You'll only make yourself really sick and then everyone will truly be annoyed. They'll wonder why you can't just leave them in peace. They'll wonder why you don't just disappear and stop troubling them. So don't cry. Don't.**

: : Naruto do you still hate me? Is that it? Is that why you can't stand looking at me? Will you ever truly forgive me? Will I ever truly forgive myself? : :

"Sakura?"

: :What? Who's there? Oh, it's you // you of all people. You who I would have swooned to have looking at me with concern like this at any other time but now. Why must you come? Why now when I'm so vulnerable and undeserving? : :

"Sakura // "

: : Don't say my name in that tone! I don't want // I can't have your concern. Not now, not when the person truly needing it is still lying prone on my bed. Don't come near me! Don't touch me! Why must you be so stubborn? : :

: :You know you're just like him, don't you? So insistent! Always so insistent! I'd rather that you both just stop insisting on protecting me. Just once, that's all I ask. Why can't you think of yourselves for a change? Why can't you protect yourselves? Why can't you protect each other? : :

: : Don't stare at me like that! I'm not going crazy! I'm not hurting! At least, not as much as he is. What?! Don't // why must you hold me this way? Why must you insist on comforting me? Why must both of you do this? So insistent. Always so insistent. : :

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For those who were completely lost, I'll try clarifying some things.

From an omniscient point of view I switched to third person, beginning with Naruto's POV, followed by Sakura's. Naruto is at Sakura's house 'moping' about the daunting realization that he can never love (as a boy) and that no one (girls in particular) will ever love him (as a boy). As for Sakura, she's currently lost in her own self-condemning thoughts, when suddenly Sasuke arrives. He attempts to comfort her, but she steps away, hating him for being so nice. It ends with Sasuke holding her in his embrace.

Argh! I can't believe I actually wrote that. But the scene was demanding it. Sighs To Sakura-fans out there, I hope you're happy, because I surely am not.

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His Sleeping Beauty

Two days later (Sasuke's POV):

It's late. It's dark. It's cold. I'm standing outside Naruto's house still indecisive as to whether I should knock on his door, or just turn and leave. I doubt he wants to see me. I doubt he wants to see anyone. But I'm selfish and I don't want to leave. I want to know that he's all right and if he isn't somehow force him to be. Sakura hasn't said much, but the little she finally revealed told me the baka was hurting. Intuitively, I already know why.

What I don't know is how I can possibly comfort him. He'll probably just push me away. He won't appreciate my company and why should he? I was never more than his competitor. I may as well be an enemy.

But he needs someone, doesn't he? Everybody needs somebody and I can be his somebody. Not in that sense. Just someone he can talk to, or yell at. It doesn't matter. Just someone to listen to him and tell him he's not alone. I can do that // I want to do that. Am I selfish? Of course, I am. I don't know how not to be.

Thinking so, I slip in through his window. I may as well be a fugitive while I'm at this. It's not as if he'll appreciate my arrival any more if I use his door. Besides, this way he can't object to my being inside his house. This way he can't kick me out even if he should try, which I know he will. Naruto is never one to admit to being weak and yet he is, amazingly so.

I've said that somewhere before. Yes, at the hospital when he needed my help to go to the bathroom. Then I was someone he could physically lean against. What can I possibly offer him this time? He doesn't need a shoulder to cry on and I wouldn't know how to give it should he ask. Besides, I can't imagine Naruto asking for that. Anyone else, yes, but not Naruto.

I'm inside his house now, shrouded in the shadows. I see him sleeping, or attempting to sleep in the corner. He's lying on the floor quiet and still, as if the bed beside him doesn't exist. I tiptoe to where he is, careful not to make a noise, but he senses that I'm here and turns around.

He gives no indications that he recognizes me, though, simply stares into the darkness, seeing and yet not seeing. He's purposely turning away now, as if I do not exist, as if he can somehow make me disappear by ignoring my presence.

That isn't fair, Naruto I seethed to myself. Don't turn away from me. I never turned away from you. At least, never when you were in need. So don't turn from me now.

I bend over his hunched form and gently shake him. He stirs but refuses to sit up. So I do the next best thing. I crawl over so that I'm kneeling right in front of him. Reaching out I cradle his fair head gently in my hands.

He doesn't resist, so I place it on my lap and begin to stroke his hair, like my mother used to do for me when she was alive. He doesn't resist. He doesn't want to acknowledge that I'm here with him, comforting him. That's all right. At least he's no longer alone.

I begin to hum softly, lulling him to sleep. I see his eyes close and continue stroking his head, until his breathing quiets and I know he's truly asleep. Then I lift him carefully in my arms and set him on the bed, where I gently tuck him in. It's foolish, but I even find myself wishing him sweet dreams.

Maybe he hears me, maybe he doesn't. But either way, it's ok, because I know a part of him realizes I care. Maybe after tonight he'll come to training. Maybe then we can spar again and I can beat him effortlessly. Maybe then I won't have to worry so much and can actually breathe normally again. Maybe then this ache in my heart will disappear.

I frown at this last thought and clutch nervously at my heart, which beats normally, but nevertheless hurts. I want to believe that he'll come tomorrow, so I must be patient and wait. Sakura did say that all he needs is time. I'll give him that. I know he's strong. He'll accept the change // eventually // and move on.

Thinking so, I step back into the shadows and fleet away. Behind me I hear him stir. I know he's watching me as I sprint out his room, leaving not a trace of my presence behind, but the lingering melody of an ancient lullaby.

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