A/N: I'M SO SORRRYYYY!!! I've been on hiatus because of the hecticness of school and life, but its finally winter break, SO here's a chapter for you guys, I know it's short but that's all My beta and I felt should go into this chapter. I'll try to update more regularly now that my beta and I are not so swamped. So, Please enjoy and I'll update soon!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights are reserved to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 10

Naruto groaned and sat up, the splitting pain in his head making the action harder than it should be. This was the reason the Blonde tended to shy away from alcohol. Standing up-albeit very slowly- Naruto walked into the front hall, stopping at the sight of what he knew to be Sakura's luggage. He frowned at the red bag on the floor in front of him, unaware of the padding footsteps approaching.

". . . Oh. Naruto. You're awake." He panned over to Sakura, his confusion growing as the kunoichi held a cardboard box tightly to her chest. Shuffling around him, Sakura placed the box next to her luggage.

"What...are you doing?" Sighing, Sakura looked at Naruto. The confounded look on his face and the wariness that darkened his eyes made telling him harder than she figured.

"I'm going home. I feel I have caused you enough pain and anguish - much of it I wasn't aware was happening- and I... I care too much about you to hurt you anymore. I'm sorry Naruto, I really, truly am. I never meant to hurt you the way I did and...I think I've overstayed my welcome." The words hit him like a ton of bricks. Never had he felt such pain and desperation, not even when she'd rejected him. Naruto leant forward and his hand closed around Sakura's wrist.

"Sakura-chan wait..." he called in a frantic sense of worry. "I asked you to live with me because I want to take care of you. I'd be a bad teammate and a real crappy friend if I let you compromise your safety by living alone just because of some tension between us that happened years ago." He let his hand fall away from Sakura's hand as he saw her turn to face him, she was beginning to cry. "Please stay?"

Sakura couldn't help but to suddenly feel regretful. Sighing inwardly, she sniffed and shook her head. "Naruto, you're one of the best teammates I've ever had and an even better friend, but I think this will be best - for the both of us. It's time for me to stand on my own two feet, and I can't do that while I'm here, especially if I end up causing you pain at the same time. So, please," She pleaded quietly. "Understand..."

Naruto stood and stared at her as she moved to collect her things. The realization that she was leaving him again, right after he'd just gotten her back didn't get a chance to fully sink in due to the knock at the door. Sakura turned, drying her eyes quickly as she opened the door to Konohamaru.

"Hey Sakura-San."

"Konohamaru, thank you for helping me." The teen shrugged and smiled.

"It's no big deal. You were always nice to me so, figured I'd return the favor."

"Well thank you. If you could grab my luggage that'd be great." Naruto shook himself out of his stupor and looked at Sakura.

"Wait... Sakura. You don't have to leave."He pleaded, his cerulean eyes eager. Sakura sighed and shook her head.

"Naruto don't. It'll be better if I leave," She said quietly, turning to Konohamaru.

"Are you ready?" The teen nodded and glanced at Naruto. The Blonde stood there, motionless, watching Sakura walk down the pathway of his front yard. Casting him one last look, Sakura smiled sadly and turned to head home.

He'd done what he didn't want to do. He'd fallen back in love with Sakura and now she was gone, and it was his fault. The male sighed and slid lower into his chair as he stared up at the kitchen ceiling. A knock sounded at the door, dragging Naruto out of his mental squabble. Sighing, Naruto made his way over to the door, pulling it open. His eyes widened slightly at the figure in the doorway.

"Kakashi-Sensei..." The older man nodded in greeting before walking into Naruto's house. Naruto cleared his throat and closed the door behind him, casting his former teacher a look of confusion. "What brings you by?"

Kakashi stuffed his hands into his pockets and turned, his exposed eye taking in the Namikaze decor that was scattered around the sitting room. Facing the male once more, Kakashi spoke.

"I saw Konohamaru and Sakura this morning..." That was all that he had to say for Naruto's expectant gaze to turn into a frown. "I take it she's no longer staying with you." Naruto shook his head, taking a seat in the loveseat nearest to him.

"Do you care to explain why?"

Mentally sighing, Naruto leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as his hands dangled freely between them. "We...had an argument last night. It...It was stupid and irrational and-"

"Was it about Sasuke?"

"No...it was about Hinata. Neji and Tenten had their reception here and Hinata left her bouquet... to make a long story short she said I didn't care about her and that I was the burden of the group so, I dredged up things to use against her and..."

"It caused her to move out." Naruto nodded once, rubbing his hands over his face in fatigue. Kakashi eyed his former student, watching as waves of regret emanated from him.

"She's gone..." He mttered behind raised hands. Kakashi sighed and shook his head.

"She's not gone. You can still see her, however take heed... As they say, history repeats itself." Naruto looked up at Kakashi and the man stood. Kakashi clapped his hand to Naruto's shoulder before letting himself out, leaving the blonde to his own thoughts.