Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 1: Feelings for Another

Sasuke is walking down the street, his shoes crunching through the fresh snow on the ground. The Uchiha soaks up the quietness of the day and stops, looking up at the lazy clouds drifting by. He is just starting to continue his walk when he hears a yelp coming from up ahead, made louder by the echoing snowland. He smiles a little, recognizing the voice and walks a tiny bit faster.

Sasuke's P.O.V.

Turning the corner, I almost run into Sakura, who is fuming mad. Sakura sees me and suddenly the fierce scowl on her face turns into a sweet smile.

"Hi Sasuke! How are you today?"

I "hmph" and look behind the pink-haired girl, seeing Naruto sitting on the ground and holding his head. I look at Sakura with my eyebrow raised. My heart speeds up a bit with adrenaline. Sakura closes her eyes as she understands the silent question. "Well, I was walking home from my house..." I drown out her voice trying to calm my heartbeat until, "...then stupid Naruto asked me out and I punched him because I was, well, I was sort of hoping you, you know, would go out with me?"

I roll my eyes and look to the side. "Sakura. I already told you, I don't have any interest in you." Sakura slumps her shoulders and tears form in her eyes. She runs passed me and rounds the corner, crying. I sigh as I watch her go. "When will she get it?"

Looking at Naruto again, I can barely make out a couple tears in his eyes. Anger flashes through my body at the pinkette before I force myself to calm down. She's a friend, I suppose, and I can't kill her... No. I can't. I struggle to decide what to do. Should I help him up or would he think I'm looking down at him? Should I tease him or would he take that as a challenge? Finally I decide to take the safest route and just walk away.

When I walk in my apartment, I throw my scarf and leather jacket on the couch. I go to the kitchen to scavenge for food in the cabinets and refrigerator. Finding nothing I don't have to cook, I pick an apple off the table fruit bowl and take a bite as I wander to my living room window to watch the snow fall on the street.

My eyes catch a bright blond blob running down the street. I smile as I watch Naruto until he starts climbing the stairs to my apartment. I panic and run to the kitchen to throw the apple core away and wash my hands. Then I realize how foolish I'm acting and make myself slow down as I dry my hands.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

I take a deep breath and walk casually to the door, with difficulty. When I open the door, Naruto is shivering as he smiles brightly, rubbing his bare arms. I glare at him to cover my rapidly beating heart. "What do you want?"

Naruto shrugs, a smile still on his face. "Hey Sasuke. I was just wondering if we could talk."

My heart flutters and I open the door a little wider, an emotionless face staring at the knucklehead. Naruto slides in past me and I can smell his faint body wash. Hmm. Orange Blossom. I shake my head a little as I close the door to stop those thoughts.

Naruto stands awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do. I raise my eyebrow at him. "Take a seat."

He plops roughly on the armchair and smiles. "You have a nice place."

I look away. "Do you want something to drink?"

Naruto shrugs. "I am thirsty."

I stare at him. "Well what do you want then, Dobe?"

He stands up and holds his fist at me. "Wanna fight?"

I sigh. "Look. Do you want a drink or not?"

Naruto sits down again with a thoughtful look before smiling again. "Juice."

I roll my eyes and quickly turn towards the kitchen to hide my smile. He needs to stop smiling at me like that. I might not be able to not smile back. I fix Naruto and myself a cup of orange juice and I sit down on the couch, handing Naruto his glass. "So what did you want to talk about?"

He looks down and whispers, "Why doesn't Sakura want to date me? Am I that unattractive?" Then he looks up, his blue eyes wide and watery.

My hand tightens around the cup as my mind explodes in anger as I think, "No! You're the farthest thing from unattractive! Forget what Sakura thinks!" Out loud I say, "I don't know. Why would you ask me?"

Naruto blushes a little and looks embarrassed. "Girls always want to date you and I was hoping you could help me impress Sakura..."

My left eye twitches and I suddenly snap, "Don't you have more important things to do than try to impress a girl who has made it obvious time and time again that she doesn't like you?"

Naruto looks down at his lap again, a tear rolling down his cheek. "It's... hard. I really like Sakura, but she only cares about you and what you're doing. I can't keep being on the same team as her without being sad that she hates me."

His wobbly words send a knife through my heart. I get up from my seat and awkwardly pat Naruto's head, completely unaccustomed to comforting someone. He looks up at me with his red puffed eyes and an embarrassed smile. "You know what? I'm sorry. I'm sitting here in your house and dumping all of my personal business on you. I should leave."

Naruto stands up and I watch him reach for the door. He can't walk home without a jacket. It's dark and is still snowing. I hold up my hand and walk towards him. "Wait. Naruto. It's cold outside."

The blond looks at me as if I'm the idiot. "Duh."

I ignore the comment and pick up my jacket from the couch where I threw it earlier. "Here. Borrow this until the weather clears up tomorrow. It'd be a bother if you got sick in case we get a mission."

Naruto smiles, his tears drying up. "Thanks Sasuke."

I hand Naruto my leather jacket and I watch as Naruto slips it on. He zips it up, leaving about an inch unzipped. My heart is caught in my throat as I stare. He waves at me and leaves.

Walking over to the window, I watch Naruto walk away, hunching his shoulders. I don't blink until the blond is completely out of sight. I sigh and slump down against the wall. Stupid Naruto. I've liked you ever since I first saw you in the academy. Those bright blond locks, those bluer than blue eyes, that great big smile, that determination. It was just pure luck that I ended up being on the same team as you. I only act mean and uncaring because you always flirt with Sakura and glare at me when she blows you off.

Unwanted tears roll down my cheeks and I start to shudder. For years I've liked you, Naruto, and for years you've tried your everything to get Sakura to even notice you. When will you see that she isn't worth it and move on? When will you stop being so oblivious?

I wipe my eyes angrily with the back of my hand and stand up. You are so weak, Sasuke. I head to bed, tired of crying.