I do not own naruto or any of the characters

Not knowing what else to say, Naruto returned his attention to the salemans cart. He was hoping Sasuke had already done something to mess up, anything that would've gave him a reason to beat the living crap out of him. Without looking at Gama-kichi he said "well just stay on the lookout and let me know if that bastard does anything."

"Gotcha bro." And with a poof of smoke he was gone.

Second guessing his decision to come into town to spar today Naruto decided to head back to the inn. Its not like he really wanted to fight anyone to but the bastard anyway he didn't want risk losing his temper and really hurting someone unintentionally. He still couldn't get Sasukes and Sakuras betrayal out of his head. How could his bestfriend and the woman he loved since the academy play him for such a fool? And what made it worst was it seemed like the whole village knew, everyone but him. Or was he the one playing himself for the fool? It should've been obvious that Sakura really wasn't in love with him. With the looks of adoration she would give Sasuke whenever he was in her presence, looks that should've only been reserved for him. What he really didn't understand was how come they couldn't just come out and tell him. It's the least he expected from them. After all they had been through they owed him honesty. When everyone in the village including Sakura wanted Sasuke dead, he was the only one who still had faith in him. He was willing to die for/with his bestfriend. But this is how his loyalty and love was returned. With a knife so deep in his back that it pierced his heart.

Did Sakura ever really love him? Yes he had faith in the fact that she loved him. The true question was if Sakura was ever really in love with him? That he was not so sure of well not anymore at least. And of it was as simple as her loving him without being in love with him why didn't she just tell him that? He's not that big of an idiot he could understand that, it was the way he felt for Hinata afterall. So lost in his own thoughts he didn't notice the concerned eyes that had been following him for the last five minutes. Or the quickly decreasing distance with him and the owner of said eyes, not until a hand rested on his shoulder stopping him dead in his tracks. It was then that he also noticed that he wasn't walking in the direction of the inn but was in route to the house he once shared with Sakura.

To caught up in his flashback Sasuke didn't hear the question Sakura was asking until she waved her hand in his face to get his attention.

"Sasuke are you there?" she asked jokingly with a loving smile on face.

"Hn I was just thinking about something, what were you saying?"

She caught the grim look on his face before he was able to pull his stonic mask back in place. Maybe he was reminded of the massacre of his clan. "stupid Sakura" she thought to herself. She was sure one day she could help heal him from the memories of his painful past. This pregnancy was blessing now he would have a real family again. And she would always be by his side. With that thought in mind she repeated her earlier question. " I just wanted to know if you would like to come in?" looking at the basket of groceries in his hand she said "I could prepare us some lunch."

He started to tell her he didn't think that was a good idea, he was just coming to inform her of their new living arrangements. But the hopeful look he saw on her face was a reminder of the promise he made Naruto. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep that promise forever and breaking it would break Sakura heart. But today was not the day any promises on his end would be broken, with the decision to play his part he gave a slight nod of his head in agreement.

Sakura stepped back in the house turning to head for the kitchen. Her spirits lifted from the surprise visit from her beloved. Glad all the deceptions and lies were over, now she and Sasuke can have a normal relationship one without the lies. Soon they would be in a new home, one free of his painful past and the lies that her current home held. Brought for her musing with the sound of the door shutting signaling Sasuke entering the house, she turned to ask him what he would like for lunch. Only to be stopped when she noticed him gazing at a picture on the wall, she didn't have to follow his gaze to know what picture he was looking at. It was the old picture of team seven her, Sasuke, Naruto and their sensei Kakashi.

"Do you think Naruto will ever forgive us?" came her sudden question.

Not turning to look at her, focus still set on the old worn photo he replied "I don't know but the dobe can't stay mad forever." Well at least he hoped he didn't stay mad forever, the declaration of hate Naruto gave him replaying in his mind again. One day he'd get the idiot to see that all he did was for them. So he could revive his clan and show Naruto that he wasn't meant to be with Sakura.

"You're right, I'm sure he will he was never one to hold grudges." She honestly believed it would all work out because despite everything she had done to him for these past few months she really did cherish the friendship they once shared. And had faith that one day they could have if not all then just a fraction of that back. "Maybe when he finds that special girl and she loves him the way I love you then he'll understand." She said with a sincere smile on her face. Not noticing the sudden stiffness to Sasukes posture or the clenching and unclenching of his fists as she returned her attention back to the kitchen deciding to make a simple salad for their lunch.

"Love" this was another factor that Sasuke hadn't thought about while coming up his plan to split Naruto and Sakura up. Now he had a new set of what ifs that would plague his mind, what if Naruto did move on from his failed relationship but not to his arms but to the arms of some faceless woman. He didn't even know if it would happen but now he felt jealousy towards a woman he couldn't even be sure existed. It had been easy getting Naruto away from Sakura or rather Sakura away from Naruto; he just played on the lust he saw in Sakuras eyes every time she would see him. But how could he compete with a new love, how could he take Naruto away from a woman who only had eyes for him? Regaining Narutos trust, friendship and one day his love would be hard enough without the competition this of a new love. He had to fight down a violent urge to storm out the house and go find the idiot and force him to listen to reason and see that it was them who truly belonged together. But he knew that would only make things worse right now. He would have to come up with a plan to mend their broken friendship and do it fast before someone else could get a hold of the dobes heart.

Turning and following Sakura into the kitchen he set the basket of groceries on the table and asked "Do you need any help?" he needed to do something to get his mind off the dark path it just followed.

"Sure, you can chop the tomatoes and carrots."

Started back to the present Naruto turned to see his old academy sense. The look of concern on Irukas face and the pity in his eyes mad Naruto cringed at the thought of how pathetic he must look. So he forced a smile on his face as he greeted his sensei. "Hey what's up Iruka sensei?"

"Hello Naruto."

"How you doing?"

"That's actually what I wanted to ask you. I can imagine how you must be feeling right now."

"Uh me, I'm fine was just heading to grab some ramen." He lied, but soon realized he couldn't recall the last time he ate so maybe ramen wasn't such a bad idea.

"How about I join you then? My treat."

Not really feeling up to the company, but knowing it would make his sensei worry even more Naruto reluctantly agreed. "Sure how could I turn down free ramen." He said forcing another fake smile on his face. So they started their walk to Ichirakus. The trip to the ramen shop was made in awkward silence, both knowing unavoidable conversation to come but neither willing to start it just yet.

Once they entered the ramen stand, Naruto was greeted by Teuchi with another look of pity; he really wished he could escape those looks they hurt almost as much as the act of betrayal itself.

"Hey Naruto, glad to see you ramen on the house today." Teuchi said.

Any other day he would have been elated with the idea of all you can eat ramen, but knowing the old man had only made the offer because he felt sorry for him somehow took the pleasure from the offer.

Once they both gave their orders of miso ramen Iruka asked " So how are you really feeling Naruto?"

Turning to look at his sensei he sighed before responding "I honestly don't know how I feel. One minute I'm sad, the next I'm mad the only constant emotion I have is the pure hate I feel for that bastard."

"That's understandable, but don't let this eat away at you. We all know how things can end up when we let hate take over."

"I know it's just that I don't understand how could they do this to me." He replies clenching his chopsticks in his hand.

"Maybe it's not for you to understand, this might have been for the best and you can't see it yet there could be someone else out there that you're meant to be with."

"With me" Sasukes words replayed in his head. "I just can't see the bigger -picture right now Iruka-sensei I mean Sakura is the only girl I ever even thought about being with. I don't think there is anyone out there that I can love the way I do her. And that makes me even madder to think about how happy she'll be with that bastard and to know I'm here miserable without her. How is that fair? How can they be allowed to live a happy life together while I'm cursed to be alone for the rest of mine?"

"You don't know that Naruto, and you can't expect to feel better right away. These things take time. It's easy to fall in love but very hard to fall out of it."

"Didn't seem that hard for Sakura." He replied bitterly.

"Actually that's the perfect example; you see how she feels about Sasuke even when she was with you she couldn't stop the way she felt him."

"Way to rub it in and here I thought you were on my side."

"I am on your side Naruto, I hate that you had to be hurt in this big mess. But I'm just trying to show you how hard it is to let go of old feelings. I know you're a fast healer physically but you can't expect the same results when it comes to your heart."

"I guess you're right, I mean what lady can resist the charms of Uzumaki Naruto." He said trying to lighten up the mood not liking where this conversation was going.

Knowing Naruto was just trying to get him to drop the subject he didn't reply. They sat in a comfortable silence and finished their meals.

Standing Naruto said "I guess I should get going, I really just want to go back to the inn and rest."

"You know you can always come and stay with me?"

"Nah, I'm ok." He said turning to exit out the ramen stand. "See you later Iruka-sensei." He called over his shoulder.

When outside Naruto was getting ready to turn back the way he came but he notices Kiba and Hinata. Not wanting to have any more awkward conversations or see the looks of pity they undoubtedly would give him he decided to take the turn in the other direction. The direction that would put him back on route to his old home, he could only hope that he didn't see Sakura. He didn't think he could handle another confrontation with her right now.

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