Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 3: She would never love someone like him.

DAWN

"Again," he instructed her, eyeing the way her body slumped down, as if screaming for the chance to rest.

He could see hesitation in her eyes, and for a moment, he thought she would ask for a break. But instead, she nodded, and again went flying to the trees.

Team Gai was known for their lightning fast speed, and it was also a known fact that the weapons mistress was the slowest among the four. But even still, she moved fast, her lithe body carrying her up and across the trees. He could have easily followed her with the Byakugan, but they agreed that he needed to also be able to fight without his bloodline ability activated.

He tried following her, but after darting out and in, a silence arose and the whole area was quiet. He readied his stance, waiting for her onslaught, facing a tree he was she sure was hiding in now. But the scream that ensued from the attacking kunoichi came from two trees from the right.

"Shit," he muttered, swerving just in time to deflect the horde of weapons flying his way.

Immediately after, he deflected a punch from his teammate who was now directly in front of him. A hand to hand combat ensued then, and with every offensive attack she laid on him, was an accompanying defensive stance from him. The movements of their fight were like a dance—and immediately the various kicks and punches fell into a rhythmic pattern that pounded through his mind. Punch, block, block, kick, block.

The drum and beat soon got him thinking about the dream he had the night before. It was another dream about the same girl who was sparring with him now. How funny that she would haunt him for three nights continuously. The first night, she had been with the wolf boy, and they had been laughing together. The next night, she was with Naruto, and they were holding hands. And the night before, she was with the Uchiha who had deserted the village. It was impossible, now that he thought about it, because he had not been seen for years. But in dreams, everything made sense.

She had brought out a weapon now, and he the same. The rough patterns of the handle dug into his skin as he deflected every blow she attacked him with.

There was determination in her brown, hazel eyes. But happiness; he saw none. A sad smile came to his face even while they sparred. How was it that he never saw happiness in her eyes when it was him she was with? How was it that he only saw it in his dreams, when she would be with someone else other than him?

And then deep inside his chest he felt something. It was painful, and it made him angry at the same time.

"Ah!" the Kunoichi shouted as he unconsciously channelled the anger he had felt and attacked her with a blow he had not meant to.

No. I'm sorry. He wanted to say, but he watched her fall to the ground instead, and he could only stand and watch her, frozen.

Was this what they called jealousy?

He stepped towards her then, but stopped when she turned her head away. There was something in her eyes.

Of course. He thought, casting his own gaze on the floor. She's scared of me. Like everyone else in the village, she thought of him a selfish git who cared for no one but himself, and who enjoyed inflicting pain.

That's why she couldn't be happy with him.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, pushing herself up.

"No," he shook his head, finally looking at the brown eyes he had come to love. And for a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other.

And he realized then, that if letting her go would be the only way to make her happy, then he would be willing to do just that.

After all, how could she ever love and emotionless, uncaring boy like him?

END

Editted: 5.09.13 This one is completely rewritten. I know the title has no connection whatsoever with the story, but I couldn't change it. Sorry.

If anybody is interested, just PM me and I can send you the original version. Lol.