*Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or any related characters*

The pair stocked up on water before heading off for the tree line that marked the way back to Konoha.

"Gaara seems to be doing well," Sakura said to no one in particular.

"He's busy, but he loves it." A twinge of jealousy rang in her teammate's voice.

Naruto and Sakura quickly made it back to the shelter of the trees; both were glad to be out of the desert. They journeyed on till night fell. Again, the pair performed the same routine. He gathered wood, she set traps, she started dinner, he set up the tent.

--

"So… what did you boys talk about?" Sakura warmed her hands by the fire.

"Nothing really."

"Oh, well." Sakura fumbled for words. "The hospital is doing well." Naruto grunted in response. "They are using a lot of our techniques now; it's saving a lot of time and energy for them." Still no response from Naruto.

"What? We can't even have small talk?" Sakura's voice held a seed of anger in it. Naruto simply sat there looking into the fire between them. She waited; still he did not respond. She glared at him—nothing. "I never thought you would turn out to be just like him."

"Like who?" Naruto's curiosity got the better of him.

"Like Sasuke." She spit out his name in anger. "You know he tossed me aside too. Now I guess it's your turn. Leave me like I'm nothing to you and break my heart. Thanks Naruto, because once is never enough." Her words dripped with sarcasm, anger, and hurt.

His blue eyes widened in shock at her words. He opened his mouth to retort, but what could he say? She was right wasn't she? He was ignoring her, pushing her away as much as he could. But, by his justification, it was for her own good. He only caused her pain. If he walked away, he couldn't hurt her anymore. His face fell refusing to look at her at all.

"What? Can't come up with an answer?" She looked at him, eyes ablaze. "What happened to us? I use to know you." Tears welled up in her irate eyes. He sat there in silence. "LOOK AT ME!" she screamed. At her sharp command, the shinobi's face shot up to meet hers. Her confusion, hurt, and anger were all visible on her countenance. "I love you, Naruto. Why can't you see that?" Her voice turned soft and vulnerable. She searched his deep blue eyes for some answer. He could not take it anymore.

"You just don't understand," he half mumbled to himself.

"What don't I understand? Tell me," the pink-haired woman pleaded.

"You think I can just forget about it? Thinks have changed and they will never be the same," Naruto's voice raised slightly with emotion.

"What are you talking about?" Sakura pressed harder desperate to understand.

"Sakura, I killed him!" His voice boomed in the still forest. His eyes fell to his hands. He lifted them palms facing his gaze. "I killed him with these hands!" The once stoic man now shook in horror of himself. "I took the life of the man you loved. I made a promise to you that I would bring him back. AND I BROUGHT BACK A CORSPE!! I killed my best friend. I killed him." He paused, his breathing raspy and tight. "I don't deserve your love. I don't deserve to be Hokage. I don't deserve to live!" He began to shake harder; tears streamed down his face in torrents.

"Naruto…"

The pair seemed frozen in that moment. Their emotions were almost palpable in the evening air. Sakura slowly walked toward the sobbing shinobi. Her small hand reached out to him, to comfort him. Naruto rejected her attempt at comfort. He stood up and again turned his back to her. It hurt him so much.

"Naruto, it wasn't you," Sakura's voice was soft and sincere. "It wasn't your fault. It was mine…"