Broken

Naruto sat with he knees drawn up to his chest as he stared at a small stone head stone. He'd been here everyday since the day he got back from the land of Waves a month and a half ago. It was Sasuke's headstone.

Here lies Sasuke Uchiha

Last of the Uchiha

A friend forever.

He'd read the inscription thousands of times. With his left eye. His right had been wrapped in bandages since the moment he'd woke up. Sasuke had given him the Sharingan, but he had yet to see it. Kakashi insisted he kept it wrapped and a secret, as far as the village knew, Naruto had been severally wounded in the battle against the rogue ninja Zabuza while defending Sasuke after he went down. The only people who knew the real truth were Sakura and Kakashi, not even the third knew. This of course brought more grief to Naruto as many villagers saw the death of the last of the Uchiha his fault. He hadn't expected this, he had been getting treated better since making Genin. But now he was back to square one. Of course Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei supported him as much they could and Ayame and the Old man at Ichiraku's helped a bit. Even Old man Hokage visited him from time to time and even came to the head stone once and hugged him as he cried over his inability to protect a comrade. However his biggest supporter surprisingly enough was Sakura. Yes she had been upset and cried for a couple days. But she was nothing compared to Naruto. Naruto had been with Sasuke almost every day they were in the Land of Waves training together and even though neither of them had really wanted it, the root for a strong friendship had been planted. However just as it seemed like that tree had began to grow that root was ripped out.

Sakura, visited Naruto everyday. She'd spend hours searching the village until she found him. Sometimes he would be in his apartment, which she now had a key for despite his protest, sometimes he'd been on top of the Hokage monument on the Fourth's head, but most commonly he was here, at Sasuke's grave. Before Sasuke's death Sakura had never ever seen Naruto cry. After his death, Naruto cried two or three times a week.

After awhileNaruto stood and walked back toward the village. His hands tucked in the pockets of his black pants. After the funeral, Naruto had gotten rid of everything that reminded him of Sasuke. That included his orange jumpsuit, which Sasuke used to tease him about from time to time. Now he wore a simple pair of black pants, black thong style sandals and a deep blood red tee shirt. He wasn't wearing his headband, he hadn't wore it since he got back. He hadn't been a mission. He rubbed the bandage covering the right side of his face thinking back to when he'd woken up.

Flashback

Naruto hurt all over as he slowly opened his eyes, well one eye really, his other eye was covered in a thick bandages. He slowly sat up and reached for the bandages, intent on taking them off.

"Don't," came a familiar baritone voice. He turned to see Kakashi sitting in a chair next to him reading his book. "Your eye hasn't completely taken root and wont for the next two weeks. Leave the bandages on." Naruto let out a sad sigh and dropped his hands in his lap. A sad look on his face. "Sasuke is dead." said Kakashi.

"I know," said Naruto flatly, tears sprung up in his left eye. "I couldn't save him Kakashi-sensei, why couldn't I? I tried and tried. But everything I do I screw up. The graduation exam, your test that we only passed because of Sasuke, those stupid D-ranks where I kept letting my pride get in the way and now, I've… I've…. I've let Sasuke die!" he sucked his knees to his chest put is arms on his knees and cried. He couldn't remember how long it was for but, he knew it was awhile. The whole time Kakashi stayed by him, knowing exactly what he was going through. Pride was the bane of many ninja, Kakashi included. Because of his foolishness and pride, Obito had died an unnecessary death. Now Naruto blamed himself for Sasuke's death.

"Naruto," said Kakashi, Naruto looked up at him, his eye red and puffy. "Sasuke's death, wasn't your fault. I know you, I've trained you for six months I know you did anything and everything you could to save him. It hurts, believe me when I tell you I know what you're going through. But crying about it won't bring him back, it's ok to feel sad about losing him, but crying wont help." Kakashi said all this looking at the far wall finally he turned to Naruto. "However On the reverse side of things, don't bear this burden alone either. Sakura and you are going through the same thing. Talk to her, talk to me, talk to all your friends back at the village. Don't just endure the weight of a lost comrade alone, it'll weigh you down and you'll let it take over your entire life. Naruto, Sasuke has given a great gift don't let it go waste by blaming your self. It'll tear you up. We'll help each other," Kakashi finished with a small one eye smile. Naruto's face fell back to look at his hands in his lap.

The door opened causing Naruto to look up and see the last person in the world he'd wanted to face, Sakura Haruno. He'd expected her to start yelling and screaming and insulting him and making him feel terrible. However as soon as she saw the broken and defeated look in his eyes. She crumbled.

"Oh Naruto," She whispered as she came to his bedside and knelt down on the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You did your best, I know you did."

"I'm so sorry Sakura," Naruto choked out "I'm so so sorry." He cried into her shoulder as she gently stroked his back a whispered that it was going to be ok. Tears sprinkled at the edge of her eyes, but she forced them back. She'd cried over Sasuke's body for three hours, now she needed to be strong for Naruto. The three days Naruto had been out had given her a lot of time to think. She hadn't been in love with Sasuke, she'd been in love with the idea of loving Sasuke. But when you boiled it all down, it was just a childhood crush. Sasuke was her friend first and now he was gone. But she'd watched at a distance as Sasuke and Naruto got closer and closer each day, despite how much they'd resisted. The teamwork they'd shown in their efforts to free Kakahsi from Zabuza's water prison jutsu was a beacon of that friendship. And now just as they both were finding their first true friend, Sasuke had been killed and it broke Naruto.

Sakura refused to be weak right now, their would be time for that later. Right now Naruto needed what little strength she had to offer. Naruto struggled to get his sobs under control with staggered ragged gasps.

"Shh, shh, shh," Sakura soothed trying to help him calm down. "It's alright Naruto," she rocked him side to side as if he were a three year old. Naruto finally got him self under control and went slack in Sakura's arms. She pulled back a little to look straight into his eyes. There was pain there but also gratitude. She had been there for him, not yelled at him, when he needed her most.

"Thank you Sakura," he rasped. She gave him a soft smile and hugged him one more time before standing up and leaving the room. Kakashi, who'd watch Sakura grieve over Sasuke's body for three days, let a small smile grace his features. They had come together when they needed each other most.

"Naruto, stay in bed today and if you're strong enough tomorrow, we'll send word for an escort back. Naruto nodded his head, Kakshi squeezed his shoulder and left the room. Naruto laid back down and let sleep take him.

End Flashback

When Naruto came out of his thoughts he found himself on top on the Hokage monument. He pondered to himself just how long he'd been up here, the sun was going down now but there was no telling how long he'd wondered aimlessly through the village until coming here. Deciding he'd stay awhile and try to settle down, Naruto sat on the fourth's head and drew his knees to his chest. Resting his chin on his knees he gazed out across the village. It had changed since Sasuke's death, the villagers were down cast, disheartened. The greatest of their clan was now forever gone and with them, the Sharingan, he and Kakashi were the only one who still had it.

"I thought I might find you up here," came a familiar feminine voice. Naruto turned to see Sakura walking towards him. She wasn't dressed in her usual pink dress, instead she wore a white blouse with black pants and her sandals. Her long pink hair was drawn up in a high pony tail and she wore a kind smile on her face, one Naruto had been seeing more and more of everyday.

"Hey Sakura," he said turning back to face the village, Sakura's smile fell a bit. He'd been like this since they got back from the land of Waves. She couldn't really blame him, but she kind of missed the old Naruto, the Naruto who yelled and made outrageous promises, the Naruto who wouldn't take being out done by anyone, the Naruto who's face would light up when she walked into view. Now he just acknowledged her presence and went back to brooding. She slowly walked to his side and sat on her heels wrapping her arms around her knees.

"How long you been up here?" she asked him. He shrugged.

"I dunno," he mumbled not looking away from village, Sakura's smile fell a bit more. It fell to a full blown frown when his stomach growled and he didn't do a thing about it. Anyone who knew him would have expected him to jump up a declear he was going to Ichiraku's for some ramen. Now he just stared out into space his stomach rumbling.

"Alright," said Sakura standing back up "Let's get something to eat. My treat." Naruto shrugged again and let Sakura drag him to his feet. He followed her down the mountain his hand tucked in his pockets. They slowly made their way to the ramen stand ran by Old man Ichiraku and Ayame. She sat him down at his favorite stool before sitting down next to him."Well If it isn't Naruto and Sakura," said the Old man

"Hey Guys," said Ayame.

"Hey," said Sakura "One plain ramen and one miso ramen with pork." She'd been here enough with Naruto to know what he would want. Naruto had his arms crossed on the counter and his chin resting on his arms. Sakura frowned at him before turning to Ayame who was leaning across the counter.

"He's still down huh?" she whispered looking at Naruto's sulking form.

"Yeah, He just can't forgive himself for Sasuke's death," Sakura whispered "and to make things worse ninety percent of the village blames him too. Ayame I was there too but they don't blame me, so was Kakashi-sensei and they don't blame him. They blame Naruto solely because of what he is, and it's not fair." Sakura could fell tears threatening, and was only able to fight them off because the food was ready and placed in front of them. Naruto simply picked up a pair of chopsticks and started to eat. Sakura watched him emotionless slurp down his noodles. "Oh Naruto," she thought before turning to her own ramen and slowly started eating her own ramen. They ate in silence and as soon as he was done Naruto stood up and tossed a few bills on the table and left. Sakura picked them up and put them in her back pocket with the intention of retuning it to him later. Then she quickly finished her own ramen and reached her wallet. Teuchi shook his head.

"It's on the house Sakura," he said "You look after him, he needs you." Sakura smiled and nodded her head. Then she jumped down and ran after Naruto. When she caught up with him she laced an arm though his, an act that would have caused the boy to get very uncomfortable, now he didn't even look at her. Trying to find a good conversation topic, Sakura looked up at the sky. It was late, the moon was high in the sky and the stars were out.

"Hey," she said "I'll walk you home," the slightest nod of his head was her only answer. She tightened her grip on his arm and started leading him towards his apartment. Naruto didn't say anything for a long time. He was staring at the sky for a long time. She couldn't read his face, she used to be able to read him like a book. The new Naruto was so withdrawn and she didn't like it.

"Sakura, I'm alright," he said. They were at his apartment and she knew he was dismissing her. But she wasn't leaving him to brood, not this time.

"No you're not Naruto," she said without a moments hesitation. "You sulk all the time, you let other people's words effect you like you never have before, Naruto you've given up on your nindo 'Never give up and always keep your word, no matter what' you've lost sight of that. Naruto that's ok, we all those sight of things, but it's time you found it again" He stepped into his apartment in an attempt to escape her, but she stopped the door and perused him.

She found him in standing in his living room, shoulders shaking, he was crying.

"I couldn't save him Sakura, it's my fault he's dead," he said "I should have done more, I just couldn't save him." He dropped to his knees burying his face in his hands. Sakura raced to his side taking him in her arms.

"It's not your fault Naruto," she soothed "It's not, Haku killed him, not you. Oh Naruto, Sasuke knew what being a ninja meant, he took that mission, he fought because he had a goal. Naruto he wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over this, as hard and cold as Sasuke wasn't he wouldn't want you to blame yourself." By this point Naruto had his arms around Sakura hugging her to him like she was his life line, the only thing anchoring him to the ground. Sakura pulled back and took his face in both her hands so she could look him right in the eye.

"Naruto, let him go," she said "put Sasuke to rest, honor him by fulfilling your dream, become Hokage." Naruto's crying slowly reduced to sniffles then subsided all together. "Here lets get you to bed, "she helped him up and led him to his bedroom. Once they got there she sat him down on the bed and stood up.

"You get changed, I'm going to get you something to drink," she turned and left headed for his small kitchen and went through his cupboards looking for a glass, once she found one she filled it with water from the tap and carefully carried it back to his room. She found Naruto laying on his bed in his boxers. Averting her eyes Sakura pulled the covers over his body and got him to sit up and helped him drink half the glass and set the rest down on his bed side table.

"Get some sleep Naruto," she said " I'll see you in the morning." Naruto sagged back down under the covers and rolled onto his side.

"Good night Sakura," he said a hint of the old Naruto in his voice Sakura could help but smile.

"Good night Naruto," she replied before leaving his room. Out in his front room Sakura located the clock, it read nearly midnight, she lived clear across the village, by the time she got back it would be one o'clock if not later. She stared at his couch for a minute before finally giving into her bodies needs and collapsing into it's welcome welcoming embrace. Sleep took her quickly.

00000

Naruto woke the next morning with a raw throat and a sore face. He'd cried a lot last night and knew that without Sakura's help things could have gone very wrong. He climbed out of bed and located his pants after pulling them on Naruto downed the rest of the water Sakura had left of his bedside table last night and left the room. He walked into the front room to find Sakura asleep on his couch. He smiled a small smile as he remembered her words from the night before. She'd saved him in ways she would never realize. He turned to look at the clock to find that it was eleven in the morning, time for her to get up. Cautiously he knelt down and shook her shoulder.

"Sakura, Sakura it's time to get up," he said softly, trying not to startle her. After a few more shakes, her beautiful green eyes fluttered open. She stared at him for a minute before flushing and averting her gaze. Confused Naruto looked down and saw that he was naked from the waist up. He mumbled an apology before rushing back to his bedroom and pulling on his shirt. He walked back into his front room rubbing the back of his head. Sakura was still on the couch but now sitting up smiling fondly at him.

"Hey thanks for last night," he said. She shook her head.

"There's no need to thank me Naruto," she replied "you needed help and I was more than happy to give it." He nodded in thanks and turned towards the kitchen.

"You hungry?" he asked.

"Yes I am." she said laughing.

"Well lets see if we can't find you something for you to eat," he said as he open his small fridge. After some rummaging around he produced a tray of bacon. "Care for some pancakes and bacon?" he asked. Sakura giggled.

"You can cook?" she asked, he shrugged.

"Kinda," he replied pulling out the rest of the things he would need.

"I just assumed all you knew how to cook was instant ramen," she said getting up off the couch and wrapping the heavy blanket she'd used the night before around her to shield her from the crisp winter morning chill. A ghost of a smile formed on Naruto's face before he shook his head.

"No," he replied "I dabble at regular cooking too, I'm still not very good though." He began to mix the batter as he turned on the stove to cook the bacon. Sakura moved up beside him and took the bowl of batter away from him.

"Here let me help," she said and began mixing as Naruto placed four stripe of the bacon in the pan. They worked in comfortable silence for awhile before Sakura finally broke it with an unexpected question.

"Naruto, why do you keep the Sharingan covered?" she asked not looking up from the pan she was making pancakes in next to him.

He took out the last strip of bacon and set in on the plate before turning off the burner and leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. "To protect myself," was he answer.

"What do you mean?" she asked looking at him this time.

"What would people say if they saw I had Sasuke's Sharingan? What would they do?" She didn't need him to elaborate to know exactly what he meant. If people knew Naruto had the Sharingan they would assume he'd taken it from Sasuke not received it as a gift. They would call for punishment. It was better this way. Leaving the topic alone for now, Sakura finished the pancakes and took the platter to the table, Naruto joined her with the bacon and they ate in companionable silence. After finishing their meal Naruto cleared the table and set them in the sink.

"I should probably get you home," he said. Sakura stopped dead. Home? She hadn't even considered how her parents would be reacting to waking up and finding out she never came back. And even worse she'd stayed with Naruto, whom her father was less than fond of. She paled.

"Yeah, good idea," she said quickly going to but on her sandals. Naruto followed, stepping into his own sandals. They left his house and started navigate through the busy street of the leaf village. It was a busy time of year, the winter festival was coming street vendors where showing up more and more everyday to get ready for the start that weekend. Without really thinking about it, Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's right arm to keep from getting separated. Naruto eyed her for a minute before let the ghost smile return to his face. Sakura gave him a small smile in return but couldn't find it in her heart to smile a full smile. It was disheartening to see that Naruto could no longer smile. He used to be so full of life now he was broken, but Sakura could see that he was healing. They ways he'd acted this morning showed that. He was more his old self and it pleased Sakura. She knew he'd never be the exact same ever again, that was asking too much, but maybe with help he could be more out going again.

They got to Sakura's house after about an hour of dodging through traffic. Sakura braced herself as she opened the door, this was going to be bad. Her fears were instantly confirmed when she saw her father standing in the door way, arms crossed over his chest, anger in his eyes.

"There you are," he seethed.

"Hi Daddy," she squeaked.

"What in the world do you still you are doing staying out all night?" he asked, it was then that he realized for the first time just who she was with. "YOU!" he yelled advancing on Naruto. Acting instinctively Naruto pulled Sakura behind him, in doing so he lost his opportunity to defend himself. The blow caught him square on the jaw. He stumbled backwards down the steps of Sakura's house nearly knocking Sakura over in the process. He regained his balance and stood in front of Sakura looking at her father. Though their eyes met, there was no challenge in Naruto's eye. No defiance. Nothing, just an empty pool of cold ice. It was unsettling really. He could have dealt with defiance, or rage, or sorrow but this empty look that he was getting from the boy made his blood run cold. He'd seen it before, in men who had nothing left to live for. This boy had seen something that broke him.

"Sakura, get inside," said Mr. Haruno. Sakura'sa face light up with panic, she couldn't just abandon Naruto, but she could disobey her father either. So with a squeeze on his bicep, Sakura stepped around Naruto and up the stairs to her father.

"Good bye Sakura," came Naruto's even voice, void of all emotion. Sakura's face fell, she'd worked for almost two days to get Naruto to open up, only to have her father ruin that in less the a minute.

"Good bye Naruto," she replied and stepped in the house. Mr. Haruno glared at Naruto a bit longer before going inside the house. Naruto was left standing at the bottom of the stairs alone, after staring at the door for a minute he turned, stuck his hands in his pockets and left headed for Sasuke's grave.

00000

Sakura rounded on her father the moment he closed the door.

"Why'd you do that?" she demanded furious with him.

"He had you out all night Sakura!" yelled her father "you may be a Ninja but you are still my daughter and I will not have you out all night with trash like him!" He pointed towards the door.

"Trash? TRASH?" screamed Sakura "Naruto is a lot of things Daddy, but he is NOT trash! He is the most caring, self sacrificing, dependable person I know! He needed me last night an I was more than happy to be there! I know you saw the look in his eyes! He's dead inside! He watched his best friend killed in cold blood right in front of him! I spent all night and this morning trying to get him to open up and just when I started making a little bit of progress, you RUINED IT!" Tears were now flowing freely down her face, her father was rooted to the spot completely speechless. Once he didn't respond Sakura turned and fled up the stairs and into her room where she collapsed on her bed and cried.

Down stairs Takashi Haruno stared after his daughter feeling like the scum of the earth. Movement caught his attention and he turned to see his wife Aki giving him a look of complete disappointment.

"How much did you hear?" he asked.

"I heard the whole thing Takashi," she said "You've completely destroyed our daughter, that boy is all she has right now and I could tell just from the small glimpse of him I caught out the window, he isn't doing well." The disappointment dripped off her words. "He needs her." Takashi looked at the floor hating himself.

000000

"Hey Sasuke," Naruto said as he sat down. "I can't stay long I just wanted to say hey."

"Back again Naruto?" came a male's voice. Naruto turned to see Kakashi standing behind him.

"Oh Hey Kakashi-sensei," said Naruto turning back to Sasuke.

"Naruto, stand up," Kakashi's voice told him he better do it. So Naruto dragged him self to his feet, ready to get yelled at again. His jaw still ached where Sakura's father had hit him.

"What is it Kakashi-senei?" he asked not really caring. Kahashi's answer caught him off guard.

"Naurto, it's time I taught you to use Sharingan."

0000000000000

Well that that. Ad just so we're clear, I don't know if ninja's really do eat pancakes (though I highly doubt it) but that's all I could come up with and knew they need sometime to bond. Of course that was all for naught because Sakura's dad decided to be an asshole. Review?

Until next time.