New quote.

king & lionheart

If only things had been different.

(for impromptumelody, YeahWhatever, and Hearts grow)

"No one can go back and make a new beginning, but we can start here and make our own end."

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The worst part was having to tell Naruto. Sasuke knew how much Sakura meant to him, the large amount of space she took up in his heart. Everyone, even her, thought of it as just a simple crush that the blonde would grow out of by the time they turned thirteen, but it wasn't.

Far from it.

Sasuke knew that Naruto would go to the ends of the earth for Sakura, even if his hands were tied behind his back and he had to carry her the entire way. Sasuke knew that Sakura returned nothing of that sort of feelings toward the knucklehead and that if there was anything then it was just a mere platonic friendship and nothing more. The pinkette would disregard him as annoying, but there was no denying that spark that ignited in his eyes whenever she talked to him, even if just for a scolding. In Naruto's eyes, she was perfection. She was everything he wanted, maybe even needed.

Sasuke was draped across the bridge railing like usual when Naruto came. He was about fifteen minutes late from the initial meeting time that was set up, but surely he was hours earlier than Kakashi's arrival.

"Hey, teme!" exclaimed the orange-clad Genin, bouncing to Sasuke's side. He gave him a toothy smile, whisker-marked cheeks dimpling. Sasuke's heart sank—but why? The dobe wasannoying at times, and Sasuke deemed their relationship as nothing more than a one-sided friendship. Itachi had told him that the young blonde was an orphan and, yet despite being an orphan, despite being brought into this world alone, his demeanor was very different from those of the other children who came from similar situations—where the others were downright disheartened and pessimistic, Naruto was cheery and radiated a certain warmth that drew people in. But Naruto was human, just like the other orphans. His missing parents must have affected him somehow, and surely losing his parents would be enough of a blow to him, but now what might've possibly been the person he'd fallen in love with?

The Uchiha knew, he just knew,that what Naruto felt was indeed love. Even if the knucklehead was unaware of it himself, it was undeniable to those who were observant (even if most people weren't). A crush, scientifically, only lasted about four months—anything longer pointed to signs of being "in love."

Naruto had had a "crush" on Sakura for almost six years.

Sasuke couldn't tell him. He just couldn't. But... he deserved to know. It would be cruel to just let him assume things, like outright lying to him by saying that Sakura had transferred to another team or somehow died. No matter how much it hurt, telling him was still the right thing to do.

"Naruto," Sasuke said, using the blonde's real name for the first time in what might have been years.

The Uzumaki's eyebrows perked up at the sound of his name. "Yeah?" He wondered why the Uchiha sounded, if possible, more serious than he usually is.

"Naruto, there's so—"

"Hey, where's Sakura-chan? She's usually here right around the time you are. Maybe she slept late, or-or maybe... do you think she got lost? You never know! Konoha's a big village, and something could have happened... Do you think we should get her?"

"Naruto—"

"Don't tell me it's her birthday today! Crap, I totally forgot! Is that why we're here? Are we gonna plan a party or some... thing...?" Naruto trailed off at the sight of Sasuke's crestfallen face.

"Naruto... Sakura's gone."

Nice to see you guys again, it's been a while. As I'm sure you know, school has been an absolute pain in my ass, and this week is a BLESSING. I hope you enjoyed this chapter even if it was short, but I will have another one for you before the end of next week, promise :) By the way, you guys like the cover? ;P

Review!