Naruto had been dreading his meeting with Sakura. Sasuke had purposely left the house for the whole day, knowing Sakura would eventually come round looking for Naruto. She would probably be delighted to find Naruto was home alone.

He briefly wondered if he should stay hidden and watch them. In the end, Sasuke decided against it; he didn't trust Sakura one bit, but he trusted Naruto with his life. It would be hypocritical to say he trusted Naruto that much, yet hang around to spy on him.

He had to feel sorry for Naruto; he and Sakura were extremely close friends. Naruto would have to reject her advances completely to make her understand they would never have a future together. He could almost hear the conversation they would have in his head. Naruto would tell her of how much he loved Sasuke. How no one else could compare to him and how they would be happy forever.

She would cry, wail, and plead with Naruto, but his precious blonde would not waver in his decision, still telling her how much he loved him. While he had so much time he needed to waste, Sasuke decided he would hunt down Kakashi and ask him a about rejoining team seven. It would also give him something to do, in case he was tempted to 'check up' on Naruto or Sakura.

He knew the decision to rejoin team seven would ultimately rest with the Hokage herself. Hopefully, she would see him in a better light now. He had, after all, helped Naruto a lot lately. He was also making him very happy. What more could she want from him?

Then there was the other side of the coin. He was, technically, the cause of all the problems in the first place. He had, after all, left the village. If he had stayed, Naruto never would have needed to leave. He would never been in reach of the serpent's grasp and none of the problems would have arisen.

Sasuke grimaced; it sounded really bad. Perhaps she would have forgotten all that, and would just look on his willingness to help Naruto. But first, he needed to talk with Kakashi. He would put in a good word for him with the Hokage. Hopefully.

They had never been very close, but Kakashi would be able to see the benefit of putting him back on the team. He and Naruto got along especially well. He was powerful and would be a good asset to any team. Kakashi had witnessed his power many times. Sasuke knew there was no need to be modest; he was strong.

He knew, if given the chance, he could easily pass up to the rank of Jounin. He also held the sharingan. That was something that any team would be lucky to have. Sasuke, however, had no imminent problems to deal with. To take up more time he decided to drop by the Uchiha estate and find himself some more clothes.

The loose white shirt had been perfect while training, but now he just wanted something more practical. He wanted to get rid of the large rope bow that was traditional for Sound ninja and find something more comfortable. Perhaps something with a larger Uchiha emblem. He was, after all, proud of his heritage.

On the other side of the village, Naruto was in hell.

As Sakura arrived, Naruto wondered how he should act. Should he jump in at once and demand to know what was going on? Or should he act normal and at least let Sakura sit down before he began grilling her about what had been going on? The blonde decided on the latter. It wouldn't be fair to start screaming accusations at her the second she stepped through the door.

He began talking to her as he usually would; casually mentioning Sasuke had gone out. He nearly groaned aloud as her saw her eyes light up as she received that information. Sasuke really had been on to something. Naruto made a mental note to listen to Sasuke more often; he always seemed to be right.

As he talked to her, Sakura's eyes kept darting to stare at his lips. Naruto felt mildly queasy as he wondered if she would actually be so bold as to kiss him. He hoped not. At one time, Naruto would have liked nothing more than to kiss Sakura. Now he couldn't think of anything he wanted less.

He smiled fondly as he realised, that day at the academy, Sasuke had been his first kiss. He would make sure Sasuke would also be his last; he stepped away, putting a safe distance between them. Now, he would see Sakura coming and would be able to get out of the way in time.

He took a deep breath, mustering his courage to start talking to Sakura about the problem at hand. How would she take it? Naruto hoped she wouldn't deny it completely; that would make things more difficult. The blonde cleared his throat before finally deciding on the words to use.

"Sakura-chan, I've noticed that you've been acting really strangely around Sasuke. Sasuke's noticed it too." he said.

He waited, wondering what Sakura would say to that. She remained silent.

"I…we both know what the problem is." Naruto added.

This seemed to pull a reaction from Sakura.

"You…you noticed?" she asked a little worriedly.

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief; glad she wasn't going to deny her actions. At least she would take responsibility and they could get things sorted out. Naruto still wanted to be friends with Sakura even though she had acted wrongly.

He gestured for her to sit down again. Naruto also took a seat.

"What's going on?" Naruto asked gently.

"I'm in love with you." Sakura admitted boldly.

Naruto was shocked. Yes, Sasuke had warned him Sakura may have some feelings for him, but neither of them had expected this.

"I can't stand to see you with Sasuke. It hurts so much. I've loved you for so long now, Naruto." Sakura said, her eyes filling with tears.

Naruto gaped soundlessly.

"I…why didn't you say something?" he asked exasperatedly.

If she had spoken up before he had fallen in love with Sasuke, things could have been different. He never would have gotten involved with Sasuke if he had known how much it would hurt her.

"I don't know," she said, her bottom lips trembling.

In the back of his mind, a small part was reminding him that Sakura's tears didn't break his heart the way Sasuke's had. But that was irrelevant; she was obviously hurting.

"How would you feel if Sasuke loved someone else? Could you watch him be with that person every day, knowing he would never love you?" she asked.

"It would kill me," he admitted. He couldn't imagine Sasuke being with someone else. So that was what Sakura felt every day.

"I just don't know how much more I can deal with." She said quietly. "Sometimes I have these…thoughts. That perhaps you'd be better off if I was dead."

Naruto jumped up.

"Sakura, no!"

He wished she hadn't said those last words. But, they had reached his ears and they couldn't be taken back. If Sakura ever tried to take her own life because of him flaunting his relationship with Sasuke, he would never be able to forgive himself.

"I'll break up with Sasuke, then. You're my best and closest friend, Sakura-chan. I don't want to hurt you. You should have said it pained you so much to see me with Sasuke!" Naruto said.

Sakura's eyes lit up and the Kyuubi roared with laughed. Naruto's compassion for her was his own undoing. The plan had worked perfectly and couldn't have gone better.

"R-Really? That would help." She said. "If I didn't have to see you and Sasuke together every day things would be much easier. But what about you? Could you really break up with Sasuke? Oh, you can't tell him! You know his temper, Naruto. He'll kill me." She simpered.

Naruto sighed. If Sasuke found out, he might just kill Sakura.

"I wont, don't worry. I'll make something up." He said dully.

She jumped up, and kissed Naruto on the cheek.

"Without you being with Sasuke, I think I will eventually be able to get over you. It will take a while, but it wont hurt as much." she admitted.

Sakura left without another word. Sasuke returned just a few hours later. He didn't dare look Sasuke in the eye. What could he possibly say? Sasuke would refuse to break up with him if he told the truth. Then Sakura would end up hurting more.

If he made Sasuke angry with him, it would make things easier. An angry Sasuke would be easier to deal with than an upset one. But what would make Sasuke that angry? Perhaps if he made Sasuke break up with him it would make the raven feel better.

Sasuke sensed his unhappiness and sat down beside him, holding him gently.

"Was it really that bad?" he asked sympathetically.

Naruto couldn't believe he was letting all this go. He had never had someone love him this much and Naruto just knew he would never find it again. But Sakura would do that same for him. Naruto knew what he was doing for Sakura was selfless, so he decided to be selfish one last time.

He reached out his hand and Sasuke took it.

"Take me to bed." He commanded softly.

Sasuke had never been one to deny the blonde anything he wanted. He nodded and guided Naruto up stairs, only pausing to kiss him.

Naruto woke up first. It seemed guilt and panic was the best alarm clock. He didn't dare move in case he woke Sasuke up. He still had no idea what he was going to say. He needed to make Sasuke angry, not hurt.

Naruto soon realised what he was going to say to make the breakup less painful for Sasuke. He sighed. The last time he felt this bad was the moment he realised Sasuke had left Konoha and allied himself with Orochimaru. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't back out now.

He had made a promise to Sakura that he had to keep. Sasuke was perfect; he would find someone else. Sasuke could have anyone he wanted. There were so many better candidates out there for Sasuke; he would soon be happy again.

He felt Sasuke stroking his hair and Naruto realised the time had come sooner than he had expected.

"You okay, dobe? You were a bit…distant last night." Sasuke said.

Naruto knew he couldn't put it off anymore.

"Sasuke…I can't be with you anymore." He mumbled.

He felt Sasuke freeze and he sat up, bracing himself for the inevitable.

"What?"

"I slept with someone else." He lied, diving right in. He didn't want things dragging out any more than they had to. It was already going to be painful.

"This better be one of your stupid jokes I never get." Sasuke warned. He couldn't quite believe what Naruto was saying.

"I'm sorry Sasuke."

Sasuke shot off the bed, glaring down at Naruto, glad he had put some boxers on before going to sleep.

"You're serious." He said slowly. "Why? Why would you do that?"

Sasuke was hurt, not angry. His plan was failing.

"I'm sorry." Naruto said again.

"Was it her? Was it?" Sasuke yelled, wondering if he had, after all the trust he had for Naruto, been right to be a little paranoid.

"No, it wasn't Sakura." Naruto said quickly, keeping his promise to Sakura, making sure Sasuke wouldn't harm her.

"Then who? When? Where?" Sasuke demanded.

Naruto was glad Sasuke's rage wasn't directed at Sakura. The pink-haired ninja had every right to be fearful of Sasuke's wrath. Naruto didn't speak. He wasn't able to find the right words and the silence wound Sasuke up even more. He tried to sound uninterested in the conversation, knowing it would make Sasuke even more infuriated.

"Does it matter?" he asked coolly.

"Does it-" Sasuke stopped, his words catching on his own snort of disbelief. This was like some kind of terrible nightmare. Since when had Naruto been so cold and distant?

"Of course it fucking matters! What the hell is wrong with you?" Sasuke snarled.

He grabbed Naruto and shook him, intently hoping he would be able to shake some sense back into the blonde. It seemed being around Sakura had frazzled any remaining brain cells Naruto possessed.

"We haven't been through all this for it to end now!" Sasuke hissed.

"Just get your hands off me, and leave. Its over." Naruto said pointedly.

He wanted Sasuke angry, but that didn't mean things had to drag out. Ruining his own relationship was almost unbearably painful. He just wanted Sasuke to leave, where he could be left in peace to mourn the destruction of the best relationship he knew he would ever have.

One of Sasuke's hands did retreat as commanded, but the other hand slowly made its way to Naruto's face. He held Naruto's jaw and tilted his head up, looking the blonde determinedly in the eyes.

His voice was ethereally soft when he spoke.

"How can you be telling me to leave when you're trying not to cry?"

To his horror, Naruto felt the familiar burning in his eyes and he just knew he was going to end up crying if Sasuke touched him any longer.

"Just let me go," Naruto begged softly.

Naruto meant it in every sense of the word. He was powerless to move out of Sasuke's gentle grip, as though some other power was holding him there. He also needed Sasuke to let him go. He needed him to leave…for him to just walk out and not look back.

"If you can look me in the eyes and tell me that's what you really want, that you don't love me, I'll let you go." Sasuke bargained.

Naruto nearly breathed a sigh of relief. One lie, and it was all over. Sasuke could just leave him to his own misery and once again he will have sacrificed his own happiness for someone else.

But Naruto wouldn't want it any other way. He didn't want people to remember him as a selfish person. He wanted people to remember him for everything good he had done. In the village, his reputation was already hanging in the balance. He wanted people to know what he was really like.

He looked up at Sasuke and their eyes locked. Naruto could see the hope and underlying fear in his eyes. He blinked and his tears fell, sliding down his face, wetting Sasuke's hand slightly where the raven was still holding his jaw.

Everything had gone wrong. Sasuke was supposed to have broken a few things, yelled, screamed, then run out in a fit of rage to chidori his way through a few trees in the forest.

Naruto's silence spoke volumes to Sasuke. He sighed and released Naruto, sitting on the bed. If Naruto had really cheated, why was he the one wanting to end the relationship? He should have been begging for forgiveness, not trying to throw him out!

Nothing added up. Naruto was not the kind of person to hurt someone like that. The story was sounding shakier by the second as Sasuke reviewed it.

"Who was this person, then? When did you sleep with them?" Sasuke asked.

"T-The day before yesterday." Naruto lied.

"So this was in the morning, then? Because I was with you all day." Sasuke said.

Naruto nodded, glad Sasuke hadn't seen the holes in his lie. Why couldn't he just leave? Or was he gearing up the anger, ready for the fit of fury? Sasuke seemed a little too calm.

"Before the first time we slept together, then?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto nodded slowly. Sasuke smirked as he had caught Naruto outright in his lies.

"That's strange. Because when you slept with me, it was your first time. Ever." Sasuke said confidently. He watched as Naruto's eyes grew large.

"No! It wasn't! Orochimaru and I…h-how? How could you know?" Naruto asked weakly, still desperately trying not to give Sasuke any reason to believe his story was false.

"Because for the first half hour I could feel you trembling in my arms. Your heart was beating so fast I thought you were close to having a heart attack. On some level, you knew I knew, even though your own pride had silenced you."

Naruto closed his eyes, ashamed. He thought he had been discreet! He loved Sasuke more than anything, but he had still been petrified out of his mind. He didn't know if he would be good enough for Sasuke. He didn't know if Sasuke would prefer a more experienced lover.

'"Naruto, are you sure you want to do this? Because we don't have to. I promise you, I will wait as long as you want." Sasuke swore. Naruto shook his head and pulled Sasuke closer. "I want you to make love to me," he said shyly. Sasuke needed no further confirmation.'

"You just had to pick this apart, didn't you?" Naruto accused angrily.

"What's going on?" Sasuke demanded.

Naruto knew Sasuke wouldn't fall for any more lies. He decided to just go with the truth. Sasuke would then understand why they couldn't be together anymore. Naruto sighed as he began telling Sasuke everything that had happened, including his promise to Sakura to end their relationship.

Sasuke was furious. If he hadn't refused to believe the end of their relationship, if he hadn't pushed Naruto, everything would have ended. He would have thought Naruto's betrayal to be real, and their relationship would have ended, all because of Sakura's interference.

"Why should you give everything up for her?" Sasuke snapped.

"Sasuke, she's my closest friend. It's killing her to see us together. I don't want to hurt her anymore than I have to," he reasoned. "I don't want this to end either but we don't have any other choice."

"Yes, we do." Sasuke snapped. "Fuck her! I don't care if it hurts her to see us together. She'll get used to it eventually. I'm not letting you go just because she wants it that way."

Naruto sighed. This was the exact reaction Naruto had expected from Sasuke; it was the reaction he had been afraid of the most.

"Its not some passing feeling, Sasuke! She loves me." He told Sasuke, trying to make him understand how wrong it would be to carry on with the way things were.

Sasuke's mind was processing this new information.

"Love? You never mentioned that before. She's in love with you?" he asked.

Naruto nodded. Was Sasuke finally understanding the severity of the situation? Something suddenly clicked in Sasuke's mind and everything suddenly made sense. He only wished he had seen it sooner.

He remembered Sakura's willingness and encouragement for him to have a relationship with Naruto in the beginning. She had been giving him hints and support all the way. Her sudden feelings for Naruto made no apparent sense, as though they had come out of nowhere. As though they had been forced.

She was just as crazy and irrational as Naruto had been when he had been under the Kyuubi's influence. He didn't know how, or why, but the Kyuubi's chakra was getting to her too.

"Where did you put the other band you made?" Sasuke asked quickly.

Naruto frowned as the conversation changed completely.

"Band?" he asked, bewildered.

"Yes, Naruto! The other lead band to block the Kyuubi's chakra; where is it?" he asked impatiently.

Naruto frowned, not knowing what Sasuke was doing. He pointed to the drawer which held the other band anyway. It would be better to just give Sasuke what he wanted if there was any hope in Sasuke coming round to his way of thinking. Sasuke nearly ripped the drawer from its delicate hinges in his haste and grasped the metal in triumph.

"Don't you see?" he said excitedly. "It's the Kyuubi! Its exactly what happened to you, but its affecting Sakura!"

Naruto wasn't as thrilled as Sasuke seemed to be.

"Why? What possible reason could the Kyuubi have for making Sakura love me?" he asked.

Sasuke shrugged.

"We still don't know why the Kyuubi made you love Orochimaru," he stopped, suppressing a shudder as he remembered how in love Naruto had been with the snake.

It didn't make sense why the fox would make Sakura fall in love with Naruto, but Sasuke didn't care why, or even how. He had the solution resting in the palm of his hand.

"And if it isn't the Kyuubi? What then?" Naruto asked, still not allowing himself to hope.

A small part of him was cheering along with Sasuke; Sakura's actions were consistent with being affected by the Kyuubi's chakra, but there still remained the impossibility. Sakura was not the carrier for the Kyuubi.

How could she be affected by its chakra? It was just not feasible. Sasuke took a deep breath as he replied to Naruto's doubt. A large part of him just knew he was right. But if he said what he was planning, he was taking a large risk.

"If it isn't the Kyuubi, then I promise to let you go." Sasuke said.

Naruto looked up at him, surprised. Did Sasuke really mean that? Would Sasuke give up so easily? Naruto nodded, agreeing at once. He was glad Sasuke would also spare Sakura's feelings; she didn't deserve to be hurt in such a way.

With a confident smirk on his face, Sasuke made his way to Tsunade's office, knowing that would be where Sakura was. His stomach was clenching all the way, and something in the back of his mind was shrieking at him in outrage for making such a risky promise to Naruto.

The Kyuubi was irate that Sasuke had seen through his entire plan. He should have known Madara's descendant would be intelligent as well as beautiful, much as Madara himself had been.

The fox knew the game was up; but that didn't mean he wouldn't go down without a fight. He had a reputation to uphold! He would make Sasuke miserable for his perceptiveness. He should have just accepted the end of their relationship so he could bask in Sasuke's pain.

He grinned toothily as he realised how much more fun this could be. The lead band was interrupting his chakra, but Naruto wouldn't wear it forever. The fox was patient; even if he had to wait years for Naruto to remove the band, it would be fine.

Soon, they would test it and remove the band. When they found no more ill effects came from taking it off, the Kyuubi would bide its time well. When the need for the band was long forgotten, then the fox would act.

It took a while for Sasuke and Naruto to track Sakura down. The Hokage had been shocked when they had explained everything to her. She had just shaken her head repeatedly; telling Sasuke it was not possible for the Kyuubi to affect Sakura.

Naruto's heart had leapt as he realised Sasuke would have to keep his promise and Sakura's torture would end, while Sasuke's heart plummeted. He decided not to give up and went to find her anyway.

By the time they located her beneath a pile of mission reports, Sasuke had nearly lost all hope. Sakura jumped up at once, documents scattering, as she realised Naruto had come to see her.

"Naruto! I didn't realise you were coming," she said, slightly breathless.

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he watched her fuss with her hair. He shoved the band at her, barking instructions to put it on. She didn't move.

"It's a present from Naruto," he lied.

Sakura put the band on her wrist at once, not even noticing what it was. Naruto and Sasuke waited with baited breath, wondering what would happen. They were all silent, before Sakura suddenly jumped.

She blinked rapidly, as though she were waking up from an alarming dream.

"I…Naruto? Sasuke?"

Sasuke jumped forward at once, knowing Sakura's sudden change in demeanour could only be something good.

"Are you in love with Naruto?" Sasuke demanded suddenly, not giving her a chance to say anything else.

"Do I love him? Yes. He's my best friend. Am I in love with him? Of course not." Her eyes suddenly grew larger. She sat down in the nearest chair, and hand over her mouth in shock as the past weeks came rushing back to her.

"What was wrong with me?" she asked.

Sasuke smirked triumphantly.

"It was the Kyuubi's chakra, affecting you the same way it did Naruto." he explained.

But Sakura wasn't listening to Sasuke. She was remembering everything she had done. She had made a complete fool of herself!

"I'm so sorry, Naruto! I made you break up with Sasuke! I made you feel so guilty." She said sadly. She flushed lightly as she realised how terribly she had acted towards Sasuke, in her desperate attempt to get to Naruto.

Naruto launched himself at Sasuke, kissing him. Another pile of reports fell to the floor, scattering over the wooden laminate surface. Sakura peeked behind the desk they had fallen behind, retreating quickly as she realised clothes were being removed at a rapid rate.

"Don't you dare make a…a mess." She warned them awkwardly. "I don't want to have to be the one to explain that to Tsunade-sama. Or Shizune," she added.

She walked out of the room with a smile on her face, in awe at just how much Naruto and Sasuke could go through and still end up together. She hoped that one day she would have a relationship so strong.

Naruto and Sasuke emerged from the room half an hour later, bumping into Kakashi. He took in their flushed and panting appearances and blinked. He looked behind them; the room was a mess. The desk was no longer standing; it was a mere slab of wood on the floor, its four ornate legs scattered near each corner.

"I'm sure Shizune will be upset to hear you've been fighting on her desk." Kakashi said.

Sasuke just knew he Kakashi smiling under that mask. The twinkle in his eye revealed everything. Kakashi carried on walking down the corridor, now whistling innocently. He stopped, looking back at them.

"And Naruto?"

The blonde gulped.

"I'm sure you're aware that you are wearing Sasuke's shirt." He said, before disappearing around the corner.

They both looked down. Sasuke had pulled on Naruto's plain black t-shirt. It was too small and Sasuke inwardly groaned as he realised how ridiculous he looked. He turned to Naruto, who was now emblazoned with the Uchiha crest. He smirked, grabbed Naruto, and dragged him back into the small room, making a mental note to buy Shizune a new desk.

He might even treat Kakashi to that new volume of Icha Icha Paradise, too.

FIN