Naruto One-Shots *Closed to Requests*

Picking Up The Pieces [Sai] for Rin

The two sat in silence on the porch to the apartment on the fifth floor over looking Konoha. The cushioned love seat was comfortable, a blanket covering the girl's shoulders. But she was anything but happy, staring at nothing in particular. Eyes swollen from crying earlier she refused to meet his gaze, not wanting to show the emotion that had been displayed. Sai sighed to himself. "This wasn't your fault, Komi."

"Sure feels like it," she whispered.

His head shook. "It's not."

Again, silence. "I'm beginning to understand why as ninja we're not supposed to show any emotion. It makes you weak, and I hate this feeling."

"What do you feel?"

She thought for a moment. "Angry. Upset. Self hate. Confusion. It hurts, as much as I don't want it to."

He couldn't remember the last time he felt those things, and all at the same time. Sai felt bad, trying to come up with a way to make her feel better. But none of this was her fault. The young man was a pig, sleeping with girls while Komi was away on missions and then pretending like nothing happened when she returned. The girl had always suspected something was off, but it wasn't until a mission had been canceled due to a personal issue that he was caught in the act when she came over unannounced. Komi kicked both out onto the streets in their naked state and locked them out of his apartment before heading to her own alone.

Sai had to admit it was a hilarious sight, and immediately went to her apartment. He found her sitting and crying on the floor, crouching to hug her tightly. When she had calmed down both moved out onto the balcony, the Root Ninja grabbing a blanket along the way. "It's his fault," he said.

"How? I should've known. I was so stupid to trust someone. As a ninja it's our job to notice things out of place. This is embarrassing."

"He does not realize what he's missing." Komi finally looked at him. "You're a strong, skilled ninja with a personality that even Sakura is jealous of. He's missing out on a wonderful person."

Tears came to Komi's eyes, but for a whole other reason, looking away and closing her eyes. Sai grew slightly alarmed, thinking he had only upset her even more, but a shaky smile came to the girl's lips as the tears spilled over her cheeks. "Thank you, Sai." The ninja's breath shuttered. "I needed to hear that."

He offered a kind smile. His arm came up, wrapping around both shoulders to pull them closer together. For once those books were telling him to do the right thing. Komi had eventually fallen asleep and leaned into his side. But the older teen did not move, comfortable with his head resting against her own that lay on a shoulder. That bastard had been so wrong to treat his only friend in such a way, and he would pay for it with public humiliation courtesy of himself. That the ninja could guarantee. He kissed Komi's forehead gently, which caused her to shift closer. Sai would help pick up the pieces.