Shades of Grey

Chapter 63

Naruto took his turn on watch looking out at the night sky. The forest was silent except for a few crickets; all he could think about was Sakura. This whole thing was his fault. She should have never been out here hurt and alone. She would have been at home in Konoha sleeping safe right now, if not for him. Her desire to protect him had got her into all this mess; it was all so backwards. He promised a long time ago to protect Sakura no matter what. Now she was in pain because she had decided to instead protect him. He had no doubt that he was not worth any of it.

He had loved Sakura from the minute he first laid eyes on her so many years ago. He knew from the start that it was a love that was never meant to be returned. But that was alright, because that was how strong Naruto's love for Sakura was. It did not matter what he suffered through as long as she was happy. That was why he had worked so hard to bring Sasuke back for her. Funny how that did not work out like he thought it would. It did not make her happy; she did not get her fairytale ending. Instead she got a man that refused to say he loved her until it was way too late, until the end.

Now there was this. Naruto had failed the woman that he loved more than anything in his life. He was not there when she needed him the most. He had not been able to save her. She had needed him more than ever in her life and he just was not there. But at least someone was, at least someone had saved her when he failed.

"At least Itachi was there." Naruto sighed into the night.

"What did you say?" Sasuke who had been leaning against the base of the tree suddenly landed on the branch next to his teammate. "You act like that means something; do not be a fool. Sakura is with the very devil himself; she is far from safe."

"It does mean something." The blonde growled at his friend. "Whether you want to admit it or not he saved her. Team 7 was not there. You did not save her. I did not save her. Itachi Uchiha, your brother, saved her. If not for him blood might not have been the only thing left in that damn house for us to find. As long as she is with him, she will be safe."

"You misplace your faith." Sasuke hissed. "Do not take comfort in the fact that she is with a man who murdered his own mother. You are a delusional fool."

As Sasuke jumped out of the tree he felt hollow and could not help but hope his words had been wrong. He prayed for the first time in his life; prayers that no more harm would come to his Sakura.