Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Sakura Haruno is a highly intelligent individual. She could tell when something was going on. After returning from a mission with Shikamaru and Sai she decided to report back to the Hokage tower and give the writing mission report to Kakashi who has become the Sixth Hokage. Little did she know as soon as she walked in, she would find out the worse news in her whole life.

The young kunoichi walked in without a second thought.

"So Naruto's leaving to travel with Sasuke?", Yamato asked the silver-haired leader.

“Yes. I’m not surprised, he hasn’t been himself since Sasuke left.”, Kakashi explained.

Sakura dropped all the paperwork from this new information. Both of the older men looked at Sakura a little surprised by her presence.

"N-Naruto's leaving......?", The older teen trembles. How could it be so easy for Naruto to leave them just like that? Just because of Sasuke? This didn't make any sense. Sakura decides that she needed to hear it from Naruto himself and quickly left before Kakashi could answer her.

Her old teacher only sighed, “This will be the second time that girl’s heart will break.”

XXX

Sakura was desperately knocking on her old teammate’s door. She needed to talk to him.

“Naruto!!” She yelled. Not caring if she disturbed his neighbors.

Finally after he opened the door, her gaze watered by tears as their eyes met.

“Is it true?”, She asked with a quiet voice.

Naruto only stared at her already aware she knew about him leaving.

“Yes...”, He answered gently.

Sakura finally let her tears fall, "Why? Why him...? We're your friends Naruto we need you. What about your dream?!" Her voice was rising louder as she let her emotions take over.

“You guys are my family. You will always be my family. But...”, Naruto sighed.

“But...?”

"But you guys will never understand me as he does. He's my...my most precious friend. I'm pathetic Sakura-chan. I’m..." Naruto started to cry.

Sakura walked inside closing the door, quickly hugging him after.

"Naruto... I... I love you...", Sakura finally confessed.

“Are you lying to make me stay?” Naruto huffed amused, quickly earning him a light punch from the girl.

"I'm serious Naruto! I'm a different person now. I... I'm not the same shameful woman who would try to use your feelings to trick you. I..." Her tears were falling faster, "I'm not the pathetic girl who was hopelessly in love with someone who would never in a million years feel the same. I... I love you... It took me so long to figure out that." She started to sob uncontrollably.

As she confessed Naruto stroked her hair trying to comfort her. He felt bad... The blond didn't feel the same anymore and now only saw Sakura as a sister.

“I’m sorry but I...”, Naruto was about to admit to her how he truly felt now, but she gently raised a hand covering his mouth.

"Don't... I already know. I learned how to live without Sasuke and very recently I learned that I never really loved him in the first place. No matter how hard I try, my feelings never reached him because he could never feel the same. But you..." her voice was cracking, " You're the first person who I genially fell in love with. Who I love no matter how imperfect you are. You are an amazing person Naruto....I'm sorry I couldn't have been the one.... the one to truly make you happy like him." She her sobs growing even louder. Naruto could help it, so he kissed her. His heart sad he couldn't feel the same for such an amazing woman. Sakura was shocked by this, but closed her eyes wrapping her arms around his neck.

He broke the kiss, “I’m sorry I don’t feel the same Sakura-chan... I’m sorry.”

"Make love to me Naruto.", She begged desperately for the man she had fallen for.

“Sakura-chan,” Naruto looked at her with sadness.

"Please... Let it be our goodbye... Pretend you love me for one night... I just... It'll be the first and last time... Please Naruto..."

Naruto only gave the girl a sad smile. But he wasn't going to reject her she's already been through so much heartbreak with Sasuke.

“Okay....”

Both of them walked to Naruto's bedroom. As soon as they closed his door Sakura kissed him once more, Naruto kissing back placing his hands on the girl's waist. Their kiss deepened and became more heated. Sakura unzipped her top letting it drop to the floor. They briefly broke the kiss so Naruto could take off his shirt. Sakura stroked her hands across his chest while Naruto kissed the girl's neck undoing her bra. He struggled a bit but quickly figured it out.

Sakura let her bra fall as their lips met once more. She was so happy and felt lucky to have fallen in love with someone so generous to her feelings. Someone who was about to leave her for who knows how long. She would cherish this last moment with her old teammate. The one who once loved her the same way she does. Sakura knew she didn’t deserve such a great person. She didn’t think Sasuke deserved him either, but she’ll keep that thought to herself.

Sakura would just enjoy Naruto’s touches, enjoy his affection, and pretend he loves her like he used to.

That night Naruto was gentle with Sakura made sure he would treat her with the utmost respect and love. They had sex for the first and last time.

XXX

Naruto was at the gates of Konoha with an orange bag full of his belongings and some ramen cups. He decided it was best to leave without a big goodbye. A lot of people would try to convince him to stay. He looked towards the Hokage mountain. He looked at the one shaped like his father.

"I'm sorry dad... But... I'll never be a great Hokage if I'm full of regrets. I'm going to follow my heart. I'm sure you would have done the same thing for ma." He fist-bump towards the sculptured mountains.

"Goodbye, everyone...." Naruto began to cry but he had a grin on his face. He then turned walking away from the home he cherished.

Naruto walked down the pathway for about ten minutes before he felt a familiar presence. He smirked and took out a kunai. Quickly someone swooshed in front of the blond attacking Naruto with a katana. The blonde shinobi was sure to dodged and blocked every attack.

After one last swing, both of them stopped.

"Good to see you haven't gone soft in the last two years dead-last," Sasuke said as he slid his sword in its sheath.

“I have to keep up with you, don’t I?” Naruto grinned.

“Hn.”

“So how did you know I was looking for you?”, he asked feeling giddy at finding Sasuke so soon.

"I didn't. All of my opponents are shitty compared to you."

Naruto's eyes widen but his smile softens. Words couldn’t describe how happy he was to see the Sasuke again, "I... I'm so glad... I... Sasuke..."

Sasuke hugged Naruto without a word. Naruto hugged back with no hesitation.

“Sasuke I never want to live without you again... You’re my most precious person. Sasuke, I love you...”

Sasuke’s uncovered eye widen but he genuinely smiled, “It’s about time you figured it out dead-last...”

Naruto only chuckled and let the Uchiha go wiping his tears, “So where are we headed?”

“To Orochimaru’s hide-out. I need Karin to fix my arm.” He answered almost unsurprised by Naruto’s insulation.

“Well lead the way bastard.”, Naruto grinned.

“Sure thing dead-last.”, Sasuke smirked. Before he began walking, he kissed Naruto then just as quickly broke the kiss walking ahead. The blond blushed but smiled and caught up to his dear friend who shared the same feelings as him.

XXX

Sakura is laying in Naruto’s bed. Her body turned towards the window tears still fresh on her face. She couldn’t remember how long she was crying.

“I hope you understand Sasuke Uchiha. I hope you understand what he’s sacrificing to be with you...”

To Be Continued....