Disclaimer: I own neither Naruto nor the song 'Let me go' by 3 Doors down.

Let me go.

He never knew it, but Naruto was being shadowed. His happy façade was on display for everyone to see; never slipping and giving him the look of perpetual happiness usually associated with mannequins in store windows. Even his shadow never was past the mask.

'One more kiss could be the best thing

One more lie could be the worst.

And all these thoughts are never resting.

And you're not something I deserve.'

Neji trailed Naruto everyday, through rain and sun, always stopping before the blond, his blond, turned onto the alley that lead to his apartment. The brunette loved him completely. From the way he walked to the way he blew his nose, every movement was sacred. Naruto never knew any of this though. Neji was determined to follow him all the way home today and confess his feelings.

'In my head there's only you now and this world falls on me.

In this world there's real and make believe and this seems real to me.'

XOX

Naruto ached on the inside. His very heart felt torn apart as hateful glares landed on his person. Why did no one understand that he was still innocent, still a child and needed to be loved? He'd promised himself that no one would get close enough to him to see what lay beneath the fox like grins, the happy demeanor, the mask he forced upon himself everyday.

'You love me but you don't know who I am.

I'm torn between the life I lead and where I stand.

You love me but you don't know who I am,

So let me go, let me go.'

He let the mask drop as soon as he reached the familiar alleyway that spelled home to him. He no longer needed it here and could be himself. He walked the stairs to his second floor apartment, shoulders slumping as he did so, and his face dropped as he unlocked the door. Slipping off his shoes, Naruto made his way to his bedroom to grab some clean clothes and a towel so he could shower.

'I dream ahead to what I hope for

And I turn my back on loving you.

How can this love be a good thing?

And I know what I'm going through.'

Once the water had heated enough for him, Naruto climbed in slowly, his thoughts drifting to the brunette that had plagued his thoughts for almost a year. He knew it was fruitless to desire him, but it was that small shred of hope that made each day easier to face.

'In my head there's only you now and this world falls on me.

In this world there's real and make believe and this seems real to me.'

XOX

Neji perched on Naruto's balcony. He heard the shower running so he waited patiently for Naruto to come into his living room before he'd make his entrance and declare his love to the blond. The water stopped running and he heard the door open and another close.

'You love me but you don't know who I am.

I'm torn between the life I lead and where I stand.

You love me but you don't know who I am,

So let me go, let me go.'

Naruto entered his living room shortly after clad in black boxers, rubbing a towel through his wet hair. His face was devoid of the beaming smiles that Neji had become accustomed to. He cautiously leaned closer to the window on his perch, hoping not to be seen yet. Through the late evening sun, he could see a singular crystaline tear run down Naruto's cheek.

XOX

'No matter how hard I try I cant escape these things inside.

I know.

I know when all the pieces fall apart

You will be the only one who knows.

Who knows.'

It had become routine now to Naruto. After his shower every evening, he wept in hopes the salty tears would be some kind if retribution for the falsities he projected throughout the day. He made no attempt to wipe them away, allowing them to fall steadily onto the hands he was wringing in his lap. A few made their way to the seal on his stomach, his curse. He never felt as lonely as he did at night. During the day he was surrounded by his friends, but at night, his friends went home to their families, leaving him to seek solace in himself.

'You love me but you don't know who I am.

I'm torn between the life I lead and where I stand.

You love me but you don't know who I am,

So let me go, let me go.'

XOX

Neji watched with heavy heart as Naruto poured his heart into his empty house. He knew that the blond was an orphan, he himself being one too, but he had never realized how it affected Naruto. The blond had never felt the loving caress of a mother, never had a father to make proud. He was utterly alone. He realized then that he never really knew the boy he claimed to be in love with. He had never seen him look so helpless and broken. Looking at his tormented form, Neji decided that he wasn't going to confess until he had a little more insight into the life of his love.

'You love me but you don't know who I am.

I'm torn between the life I lead and where I stand.

You love me but you don't know who I am,

So let me go, let me go.'

Owari x