Summary: It's when you lose your most precious person that sanity is broken. It's when your friends help you cope when you finally learn to accept that person's death.

Pairings: Naruto/Hinata with Sasuke/Sakura

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, at all. All the characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi-sensei.

As Time Passes

Torn Apart

Desperation, it was the only emotion he felt at the moment. He was desperate to bring her back to Konoha. He felt no remorse when he stabbed her assailants to death because they were out to kill her, his wife. Her breathing was labored as he pushed on, hurrying as fast as he could, to bring her back to Konoha so that she could be treated.

"N-Naruto-kun?" she stuttered, fighting the urge to succumb to the clammy jaws of death, "Take care of Mirai-kun and Hana-chan for me. Take them to Neji-nii-san for their training with the Byakugan. Tell them I'm sorry for not being able to watch them grow up as good ninjas of Konoha."

"Hinata! Don't say that!" shouted Naruto as he fought back the tears, struggling to keep her alive, to keep her conscious. Images of their three year old son Mirai and their two year old daughter Hana, small replicas of themselves with truly alabaster eyes replayed in his mind. "You will see Mirai and Hana grow up! I will make sure of that!" he shouted hoarsely.

"Goodbye, Naruto-kun. Take care of our children." A smile appeared on her face as her body began to grow cold and limp. "I'm glad to have become your wife. I love you, Naruto-kun. Never forget that." Seconds later, all warmth left her body, a smile only for Naruto lingering no her face. Naruto froze, fear, dread and sorrow painting his face as the tears finally dripped from his eyes, splattering gently on her face.

"Hinata!" he screamed to the night sky as he felt her body slip from his hold, breaking down, unable to take the death of his wife.

Days later, the entire Konoha was mourning for the loss of the Hyuuga Clan Head. Naruto refused to leave Hinata's lifeless body. Sakura and Sasuke, pitying the children as well as worried for their sake, brought them to their home for the meantime, where their own children, Satoshi, five, Risa, four, and Haruno, three, would keep Mirai and Hana company. At this point, Naruto was too unstable to take care of his, their, children, her legacy.

"We're sorry for your loss," said Sasuke, wearing colors he thought would just be a fashion statement to him since the massacre. However, now, it meant something more than just that.

"Yeah, Sasuke." Naruto had not the heart in him to call Sasuke a jerk, at least not today.

"I'm sure she's in a much better place," said Sakura soothingly, "We all understand your pain."

"How would you!" snapped the blonde, causing Sakura to flinch, "You still have your husband!"

"Naruto, you're treading dangerous waters," seethed Sasuke, his eyes flashing crimson. Despite Naruto being his friend, Sakura's welfare took priority as his wife.

"And what will you do about it! Kill me!"

"I am an ANBU Captain, the best among all. She is the foremost ANBU expert on Medical Jutsu. Assaulting either of us can warrant you a death," he hissed, his hold on his wife tightening.

"Naruto, just let all your apprehensions and fears go. It's alright to cry this time. It will not stain your reputation," whispered Sakura, reaching out to her former teammate. And then the dam of tears broke down as Naruto began to cry, his friends steadying him.

-Owari-

GAH! –dodges all the things being thrown at her-

Sorry. I just wanted to write a tragic Naruto/Hinata and this is what came out. Hope it's okay.

In any case, these stories aren't going to be long, since they're the type devoid of any major storyline. If these one-shots inspire you to write any more, by all means go ahead.