AN: And low and behold, inspiration Struck. Bah this entire fic has been so ridiculously angsty it's not even funny. And you might be surprised.

Translations for the non Japanese literate

Minna san: Everyone

Arigatou: thank you

Gomen ne: Sorry

"Uzumaki sensei, how much further?" The biggest trouble maker of the newest graduated ninja class asked, groaning as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

His hitae ate hung from his neck, the boy apparently too hot to wear it around his forehead for the sun to catch any longer. His pack towered over him, and he adjusted the straps for the 60th time. The boy would break those straps before this trip is done, Naruto thought with as much as he packed. It would give his team a chance to be creative with their supplies.

Naruto smiled a genuine smile. "We've only been on the road for an hour, Keiichi kun. Sand is quite a bit farther from here" Naruto replied.

They were making decent enough timing. Had he been traveling alone he could have made it to sand late in the evening, if he pushed it. At this rate, he calculated two hard days of travel, possibly three with his rag tag team.

"It's hot, and I'm tired and we haven't done anything interesting" Keiichi complained, shoving his hands behind his head.

"Shut up, Keiichi teme. All you ever do is complain." His other male counterpart of the group, Shingo snapped.

Keiichi of course exploded, and the two exchanged banter and miscellaneous expletives that Naruto pretended he didn't hear. Until he heard the sniffle; her sniffle of his single female student.

"Minna san…" Sako murmured, wiping the tears away from her eyes, frowning as she looked at her arguing teammates, distressed.

Naruto sighed. "Enough. You should remember that Sako chan is sensitive." Naruto rebuked. "Those who-

"Those who abandon their teammates are worse than trash. We know sensei" Shingo and Keiichi replied, rolling their eyes. However, both boys glanced at Sako chan. Sako looked at her teammates heartbroken. Both sighed.

"Gomen ne, Sako chan" Keichi said ruffling her hair.

"Er…Sorry.." Shingo grumbled.

Sako chan launched herself at the gruff shinobi with a giggle as she hugged him.

He flushed, embarrassed and ruffled her hair, pushing her off him. Sako jumped up and kissed Keiichi on the cheek before leaping off with chakra bounding steps.

"Arigatou, Minna san!" Sako chan giggled, beaming as she skipped down the road.

"Yeesh…such a happy kid" Keiichi remarked to Shingo who shrugged.

"Oye…"He sighed in defeat.

"Eh?" Keiichi asked.

"A kid half our size beats us in ninjutsu…"Shingo huffed, and Keiichi echoed it staring wistfully at the girl who bounded ahead of them.

"Sako Chan, a team always sticks together" Naruto reminded her, as she was getting too far ahead.

"Haiii!" Sako replied stopping and saluting him. Naruto couldn't help but smile. She was just so darned adorable. If there was ever someone who could pick Naruto's spirit up when he was down, it was Sako chan.

"A ninja must always be prepared. You should be watching the road." He ordered his team.

"Were you ever ambushed on a mission, sensei?" Keichi retorted, chin jutting out as he crossed his arms.

Naruto nodded. "Ah. Our very first real mission became A ranked and our sensei had to fight off an elite. Even us as students had to fight. If we all hadn't fought, we would have died." Naruto said gravely.

Keichi perked up, eyes searching for signs of enemy nin, as Shingo rolled his eyes.

Well at least that'll keep him occupied for a while Naruto thought, scratching his head as he glanced at the map.

"Uzumaki sensei?" Sako had tugged on the sleeve of his blue shirt.

Naruto set the map aside to see the girl who didn't even reach his waist. Sako was three years younger than the boys. She was a bit young, but her skill was unwarranted. She was a prodigy, after all.

"Yes, Sako chan?" Naruto smiled kindly, ruffling her hair.

"You look sad, Uzumaki sensei. Is it because of Sakura Himei?" Sako asked.

Naruto paused searching for the words. "Yes. And No. I would do anything for the happiness of my teammates." He replied with a smile and a classic good guy pose.

Sako chan's thumb slipped in her mouth by accident and she flushed, embarrassed as she realized what she was doing. She had just turned seven this year. Seven year olds did not suck on their thumbs, she had exclaimed to him emphatically when he'd treated his team to ramen. Naruto pretended he didn't see it, eyes glancing over the map while Sako chan composed herself.

"Did Uzumaki sensei…take us to sand….because of the happiness of his teammates?" Sako chan asked, hesitantly. Shingo and Keiichi perked up, eying their sensei.

Naruto had forgotten how kami cursed observant the girl was.

"Of course not. Not in the way you mean, anyways." Naruto replied, with a thousand watt smile. "There's lots of reasons. First off, I think it's a great training exercise for our team to go out and learn how to set up camp together." Naruto said. And it will break down the walls between Keiichi and Shingo, he thought.

"I've been wanting to visit the Kazekage for a while now. We're personal friends from our chunnin exam you see, but there hasn't been time to really visit. His siblings are also elite jounin and I think you all could learn something from them. Sand is a great place for you all to visit. And the time apart will allow your dear sensei to think, and possibly create some new justu"

"Perverted jutsu…" Shingo muttered.

"OYE! I heard that" Naruto growled. "A-anyways, Sako chan, Keiichi kun, Shingo kun, You will love Sand, Dattebayo." Naruto said, smiling bright.

Keiichi grinned, Sako chan giggled, and even Shingo's lips quirked with a smile at their bumbling beloved sensei.

"Arigatou, Uzumaki sensei" Sako chan said, hugging his leg.

All three children had been orphaned. Keiichi and Shingo's parents had died during the war with sound. Sako chan had been recovered from Orochimaru's lab. Fortunately, she didn't remember any of that. She only remembered being found by Sakura whom she had affectionately deemed Sakura Himei.

Shingo snorted as their sensei talked about sand country. Uzumaki sensei was certainly unconventional, ridiculous and silly at times, but he could relate to them all as he had grown up without a family, as Uchiha- ji sensei had. And Uzumaki sensei loved them, treating them to ramen and even having sleep overs for them at his apartment with his old team seven.

They were a team, the only family they had was each other. And that was alright by them.

…………………………………………………..

Sakura boiled the tea pot as the two had chosen opposing sides of the walls to lean upon as they waited. It seemed like eons later the pot finally whistled and Sakura served the tea, having a seat on the couch, eying the two.

The tense silence was killing her. No one was talking, or even looking at each other. She could hear the clock tick by with it's maddening perfection. Tick, Tock, Tick Tock. Sakura cleared her throat, summoning her courage. It was time to finish this.

"Naruto…I'd like to explain to you what happened…" Sakura began.

"There's no need to, Sakura Chan. Teme already explained it to me. Look. I didn't want to do this to you…but I think you need to just decide already. It's the only way to settle this for sure. We tried to work it out on our own but there were…unsettle able differences." Naruto replied with a glance to Sasuke. "There's no point in putting it off any longer" Naruto said, blue eyes serious.

Sakura was startled. Naruto was never this down to earth, this serious about anything other than ramen. Sakura swallowed.

"You're asking me to choose?" She asked, clarifying though she had known it would come down to this. Yes she had known and thought long and hard on this.

Naruto nodded. "I think you need to." He replied.

Sasuke frowned.

"You don't agree with him?" Sakura asked Sasuke.

"I don't like the way it's going about, No." Sasuke replied.

"There's no other way, Teme…it's not like we're going to have a Rock Lee/Gai sensei style triathalon for her affections, or an arm wrestling match."

"No, you two already had your spar" Sakura said sarcastically.

Naruto grinned. "And I won." He said, winking at Sakura. "Just something to consider"

Sasuke and Sakura both rolled their eyes. "Oye!" Naruto protested as the two shared a smile. He pouted.

"Technically you cheated using Kyuubi chakra" Sasuke retorted. "But think what you'd like" Sasuke said with a smirk.

Naruto ignored the last baited comment.

"Unless you have a better idea Teme, I think it's the only option. We both love you, Sakura chan." Naruto said.

"I don't have a better idea" He said, regretfully, eying Sakura as he crossed his arms. Naruto mimicked the move on the far side of the wall, eying her.

"I don't suppose sharing is an option?" Sakura asked.

"Absolutely NOT" both snapped with the exception of a Dattebayo added to Naruto's hasty retort.

"Yeesh, I was just kidding…" Sakura replied with a sheepish grin.

Sakura closed her eyes. She had been thinking about this for a while so it wasn't like the question had completely taken her by surprise. Sakura had quite a bit of time to really ponder things between the two of her teammates these past few days. She took a deep breathe. "Alright…my decision is…" Sakura said summoning her courage, though it pained her and she knew it would pain him.

…………………………………………………….

Kakashi sensei peered through the window, crouched as they waited in the trees.

"Has Sakura-Hag decided yet?" Sai asked.

"Shut up Sai, I think they're…shit…" Kakashi replied.

"What?"

"I missed what she said because you were talking" Kakashi replied sheepishly as he scratched his head.

Sai rolled his eyes. "You're such a liar" Sai snapped knowing Kakashi could read lips.

"Guess you'll be stuck in suspense" Kakashi replied, disappearing before Sai could tackle their ex sensei.

"Damn it. This was stupid Copy's idea in the first place." Sai grumbled. Being outwitted by the perverted jounin was a blow to anyone's pride.

He watched Sasuke walk out, fists clenched and he supposed he had his answer. Sai followed after the broody Uchiha.

……………………………………………………

"Can I have some time to talk to Sakura chan alone, Teme?" Naruto asked him.

Sasuke swallowed and nodded. It didn't matter anymore did it? She'd chosen him. Sasuke should have known that she would still choose Naruto. After all Naruto had never abandoned her, had never treated her with anything but the love she so craved. Sasuke had figured himself out too late. He had left, abandoned her and now he had lost her because of his costly decisions. He should've known there would be no forgiveness. No act could ever make up for the hurt he'd caused them.

He left swiftly, not wanting to see their reunion of sorts. Naruto was his brother, but he loved Sakura. Even knowing his best friends would be happy for the rest of their lives couldn't make up for the way his heart was torn open again. He felt betrayed though he had no right to and that only made it hurt worse. The door shut and he vanished into the trees not even sensing Sai's presence.

Naruto sighed and raked a frustrated hand through his blonde hair.

Sakura glanced into his eyes, her own filled with tears as she drew close to him. He backed away.

"We both know this isn't what you wanted" Naruto replied, serious.

"W-what? No, Naruto I made my decision. He was my past, Naruto, and you are my future" Sakura replied smiling in spite of the tears.

"Bullshit" Naruto growled. "You wouldn't be so broken up if this was the right decision. Tell me you aren't loaded with guilt." Naruto snapped.

"….." Sakura said nothing.

"Geez Sakura Chan, wake up and realize your own feelings!" He growled, grabbing her hands.

"Naruto…I- I- can't…I love you…"Sakura choked, tears running down her face.

"I know. I know that you love me in your own way Sakura Chan…. but not as much as him. Never as much as him" Naruto replied sadly.

Sakura's eyes widened and broke as she felt the tears flooding down her cheeks. She sunk to her knees and hung her head in shame.

"No" She murmured, denying it vehemently.

"You never could lie to me, Sakura Chan." Naruto replied, tears filling his own eyes. "I don't want you to be with me because you feel like you owe me something, or that you have to be with me. You could never be happy like that. I can't live without your happiness" Naruto replied, thumb brushing the tears that fell away delicately.

"It's so selfish, Naruto. It's not fair. I could be happy with you…" Sakura replied, and she grabbed his shirt, clenching. I could learn…

Naruto shook his head sadly, tears falling from his whiskered cheeks. "I would never let you do that, Sakura chan. I could never let you try to become something you're not. I think…I hope you know that" He said, hands running through her silken hair.

"Naruto…No..don't do this. Please….I need you." Sakura hiccupped.

"I leave for sand in the morning with my team. You will go to him and you will tell him the truth." Naruto ordered.

"No!" Sakura snapped.

"Stop being so damn stubborn! You're not Tsunade-baa san and I'm not Jiraiya. And Sasuke Teme is not Orochimaru" Naruto snapped.

Sakura flinched. Her shishou had regretted not being with Jiraiya to this very day. He had loved her so much.

"You aren't her. You can't be her now, cant live her mistakes and try to make it right, Sakura. She didn't know her own heart either until it was too late. It's why I can't let you do this" Naruto replied. "You would die slowly day by day being with me."

"You are the only light I have, Naruto!" Sakura cried.

"You are Sasuke's light, and you are the only one that can free him from the shadows. He is your light. You can bring him back, Sakura Chan."

"Are you doing this for him? Because you think it would make him happy?" Sakura demanded.

Naruto sighed. She was really trying, and he supposed he would never forget her for it, though he was leaving to try to.

"I will return a year from now. You've waited for him for years, Sakura Chan. I expect you to use the time. I know I will, Dattebayo" Naruto replied.

"Naruto, No!" Sakura protested, pleading.

Naruto kissed her swiftly, achingly. Sakura's heart crashed, splattered, broke into a thousand tiny fragments as she kissed him back fiercely, hands clenching his jounin vest. His kiss spoke of sorrow, of parting. And she knew he was right. And she hated him for it.

"If you leave Uzumaki Naruto, We can never be again. I choose you." Sakura replied. "I meant it." She met his gaze fiercely.

Naruto smiled sadly. "I can't tell you how much those words mean to me, Sakura Chan. But I won't let you make the biggest mistake of your life because you can't realize your hearts feelings." Naruto replied.

"Goodbye, Sakura Chan." Naruto bid her, closing the door.

Sakura fell to the floor and wept brokenly because he was right, because he could see right through her. She hated Naruto in that moment, but it was because she hated herself more than anything else.

……………………………………………………

It hadn't taken long for Naruto to find Sasuke. After checking the training grounds, he could have kicked himself for missing the obvious. He was sitting in the Uchiha compound in the room, staring at the blood still stained on the floor, expressionless as his sword rested on his shoulder. He stared into no where, eyes dull, nearly lifeless.

"Teme." Naruto greeted.

"Come to brag, Dobe?" Sasuke asked flatly.

"No, I came to say goodbye." Naruto replied.

Sasuke's eyebrow arched. "If you're joking, Dobe, this isn't funny." Sasuke replied.

"Then it's a good thing I'm not, Dattebayo" Naruto returned evenly.

"I don't understand" Sasuke replied, still suspicious.

"She has always loved you. Even while we were dating, she has loved you. She tried to give you up. But I knew better. I always knew." Naruto replied.

"It was selfish of me. I wanted her to choose me, Teme. I wanted to beat you in something. I wanted her to love me more." Naruto replied.

Sasuke's eyes widened, their long time jealousy of each other making him feel guilty. They had been so petty in their childhood. They still were.

"But it would have destroyed her. And as much as I hate it. As much as I know you don't deserve her….I wont do that to her. I meant it when I promised to protect her. Sakura's happiness is the most important thing to me. She could try to be happy with me. But you were her first love, Sasuke. She could never get that back, no matter how hard she tried to move forward." Naruto replied.

Sasuke felt the tears and he hugged Naruto fiercely, brokenly sobbing.

Naruto's eyes were wet as he returned the hug. And then he pulled Sasuke back and decked him hard, sending him flying through the open doors and tumbling into the tree in the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke hit it, dazed. "You had better take care of her, Teme. You had better goddamn love her with everything you've got. And when you fuck it up you better grovel on your damn knees and beg for her back. I mean it, whatever it takes once you have her you never let her go again. You can never walk away from her, and you can never let her walk away from you" Naruto snarled.

Sasuke eyed him. "Why? Why are you doing this?" He asked.

"I'm not doing this for your sake, but hers. You're not worth her…but you better make yourself worth her…you understand?" Naruto quivered, tears streaking down his cheeks.

Sasuke could only nod.

"Naruto…you were always the better man" Sasuke said, finally.

Naruto grinned. "I know." He replied.

"You're leaving tonight?" He asked.

"No, but I have to prep my team and pack."

"Goodbye…Naruto"

"Goodbye Sasuke. Take care of her" He said, and left.

…………………………………………..

Naruto had finally finished stuffing everything into his gear pack. Everything that was important, including his photograph of team seven and his new team was in there. He smiled appreciatively at his handiwork and felt her before he saw her.

"I just want you to know that even though I will never forgive you for what you did….that I love you, and you had better take good care of yourself and your team" Sakura said, stepping through the window as she clenched her fists at him.

Naruto smiled sadly. "I will"

"I mean it, Naruto. You make sure Shingo pulls the stick out of his ass so he doesn't become Sasuke. You make sure Keiichi isn't a retarded pervert. And you hug Sako chan and kiss her goodnight and read her bed time stories every night!" Sakura snarled.

Naruto nodded with a grin. Sakura threw herself at the ramen breathed idiot and hugged him fiercely, crying in his arms.

"I will always love you, Sakura Chan." Naruto told her, kissing her hair. "Just…not right now" He said with a half grin.

Sakura nodded. "The feeling's mutual." She replied as she sniffled.

"Goodbye Sakura Chan. I'll see you in a year" He said. "You'll probably be pregnant by then" He grinned.

"NARUTO!" Sakura screeched.

(AN: Why did I write this chapter the way I did? Because Naru Saku wasn't going down without a damn good fight and I liked the order of read the next chapter for sasu/saku fluff)