A/N: (Reposting this for good measure xD) WARNING: This contains SPOILERS for Naruto Shippuden Episode 133 and Chapter 382...so if you're not up to this and don't want to ruin yourself... DO NOT READ THIS FANFIC.

HELLO! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish everyone an awesome year filled with NaruSaku ^^. I know 615 was hard for some of us, but no worries. It's not over til it's over... Nothing is cannon until Kishi ends the manga! If anyone wants to discuss anything pertaining to that (or NaruSaku in general) with me, feel free to PM me...I love meeting fellow NS fans ^^.

So anyway... It's here guys! Finally right...? Actually this was a bit easier than I thought, but it also was a bit irritating at points because I can relate to Sakura more (probably due to the fact that I'm a girl...xD). Naruto was a bit challenging—but I hope I did him justice! I read this over a few times, so I'm sure it's okay! And some of the sentences are like Sakura's POV just because I liked those particular ones. And obviously the dialouge is exactly the same xD. BUT! The thoughts are obviously changed... so anyways, hope you guys enjoy Naruto's POV ^^!

Also, just like on Sakura's POV, you can listen to the song "Pieces" by Red. A lovely song...

Original: 01/01/13

Disclaimer: Kishimoto-san, yus.

NarutoxSakura

Let Your Guard Down

Naruto's POV

By: darkdreamerx

"Naruto... He's..."

My heart. It's supposed to beat... not break.

They all look at me. They're lying, I think. But their faces convey nothing but sympathy. And now I can't even look at them—at her.

I have to leave. I can't be here.

I'm through the door and the hallway and tower entrance. I race down the Hokage stairs—because I can't be there anymore. Why him? Why did it have to be him...?

I think I hear Sakura's voice call me, but I can't bear to turn around.

So I don't.

I keep running. My legs go numb quickly from the exertion. Hah... I don't care.

The Konoha villagers eye me suspiciously as I rush past them. Thoughts race with me. Do they know? Do they blame me? ...Blame me for more deaths? Just like they have all my life...?

I take a few breaths; curse under them. They don't know how much it hurts... They don't know my suffering...

I always lose...

I swear I can feel the kyuubi's chakra pool in my gut. I fight it, quickening my speed. The chakra flows into my fingertips; I feel the burning sensation. Then his voice, Naruto... and I gasp.

No!

I narrow my eyes while I turn a corner. I won't listen to him. Even if I feel the desire... Desire of revenge...

I run and run and run. Villagers practically jump out of the way. Everything is a blur to me. I can't see them. But my pace only increases—I'm so angry. I don't understand. It's not fair...

My heart constricts and then I feel it. It's not vexation anymore... The numbing sensation spreads from my legs to my torso and then it travels all the way up—to my head. It swallows me whole and I feel the fox demon's chakra disintegrate entirely.

Emptiness...

I start to feel cold... Damnit. I trip over steps, throwing my body into the alley of my apartment. I jump quickly, reaching my destination.

I fumble with the keys but finally get the door open. I slam it shut—probably too hard. But no one can hear me here...

It's starts to sink in; the cold feeling starts to overtake my body. Maybe I'm selfish. Maybe I don't deserve anyone's love. Maybe this is my punishment... Pain laughs in my face. I shake my head, stepping only a few feet inside my vacant room.

My head's pounding. I clutch it, thinking the pressure will subside. The red chakra is burning underneath my skin again. Ready to consume me. Grant me the wish I'm trying so hard to bury. My breathing is shallow...

Shit.

But that's not my Ninja Way. That's not who Uzumaki Naruto is... That's not who I am. I can't be negative... I can't lie to myself.

I have Iruka-sensei... Kakai-sensei...

Everyone...

And... I have Sakura-chan!

I take a deep breath and then the pounding in my head somehow crumbles and shifts to my door. And then it's her voice that shatters my inner turmoils.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

She cries my name and each time my name is louder. She's here—outside. I think to myself, why? Why did Sakura follow me...?

I turn around and rotate the doorknob when I hear her say my name again. And then she stumbles in my doorway and I grip her shoulders to steady her from the fall. She's breathing heavy, like I was, her eyes wide.

"N—Nar...uto?"

I look through her, feeling myself lose a sense of consciousness. "Sakura...chan," I say blankly, "Why...did you follow me?"

I think my voice failed me; I can't speak correctly. I think it's better if I'm alone but I don't want her to feel worse for me... So, I wait for her answer...

Sakura looks like she's struggling with her words, and takes a few deep breaths. "Naruto..." she starts, and then takes my shoulders to hold me at arm's length. I let go of hers because the additional contact torments me. She continues, "I'm here because you don't deserve to be alone. I want to comfort you!"

I watch her beautiful emerald eyes begin to water and I can't help but feel the pain again. I look down, feeling bitter. She should not have to suffer with me... I speak, with a dull voice, "I don't...want it."

I feel her hands grasp my shoulders more firmly, trying to reassure me. "We're friends, Naruto! I know you better than anyone! We're teammates, comrades...and I care about you! It's...it's okay to let...your guard down..." Her voice trembles, and now I'm confused. Why does she sound so nervous...?

I look up at her, my eyes questioning what she said. I feel her body slightly shake but then it's lost as she joggles mine and speaks again.

"Hey, did you hear me?" she asks. I nod meekly but I don't answer her. Everything she said is still registering in my head—and then she adds more. "Naruto...it's okay. I'm here, even if I don't know what it feels like... To—to lose someone close! But, ...you can make me feel it. I... I'll cry with you..." Her last words are mere whispers and I feel my limbs quiver. I can't look at her any longer so I lower my head again.

I feel one of her hands leave my shoulder, and then I watch a glove land beside her feet. I feel her, now naked, fingers touch my chin and lift it up softly. Her eyes are burnished with compassion and she whispers to me quietly, "Look at me..."

Cracks form in my heart at her words, her expression, her gestures—and then I can't hold them in anymore. Tears. They leak out of my eyes and down my cheeks and I feel them drip off my chin. My vision blurs slightly at the water pooling. And then I blink and notice her green depths...

They brim and copy mine, trickle down her face and drip to the floor. My voice fails me again and I whimper, feeling all of the emotions I'm trying desperately to contain. I tense and clench my jaw. My body betrays my composure and I start sobbing...plagued with it...

No!

I thrust my hands toward my face and cover my eyes and Sakura's fingers with them. I don't want her to see me like this! Why is she here?! And why is she crying?!

I hear her voice choke my name, "N—Naru...Narut...o?!"

And I just lose it.

I'm broken completely—memories of my mentor filling my head. The image of Sakura's tears burn the back of my eyelids. And now my knees are starting to shake and I feel like I'll topple over any second. My chest is so heavy and all I can hear is myself crying.

Then the other piece of my breaking heart speaks to me again. "Hey... It's okay, wait... Let me close the door. Let's sit..."

I let her push me out of the doorway gently to step inside the room. The door is closed soundlessly and I feel my heartbeat hammer my ears. Repeatedly I swallow and gasp for air, trying to stop the sniveling but I can't do anything about it. There are so many images whirling in my brain!

She blinks and takes a few breaths. I feel her guide me deeper into my room and then she says, "Naruto, do you want to sit?" I can't answer her because I'm choking on the sobs, so her loud whisper continues, "Hey, it's.. It's going to be okay...I promise!"

I feel terrible, I can't even breathe right. Or answer her. Or think. Or anything. But before I can belittle myself more, I feel her hands take mine into hers and reveal my face.

I'm so embarrassed, but Sakura's eyes are not cruel. They look at me with such sympathy—glassy and full of emotion. When I look into them I almost fall apart—completely.

I feel my heart burst open again and again, and with tears flowing down my cheeks I watch her throw her other glove on the floor. Then out of nowhere she grabs my arms and pulls me right into her.

I stiffen—why is she hugging me? So. Damn. Tight. And then I think, her power continuously shocks me... Even now.

I hear her small voice against my hair, "Naruto... I'm here. I'm right here..." and it plummets to my heart, burning the cold. I need this, I need her...

I was lying before.

Without warning I grab her, pull her down to the bed, and cling to her tightly.

The mattress creaks with our weight and I hear her gasp out of shock, "W—What?!"

She falls silent when I press my face into her chest. I don't care about that, I just can't stay upright anymore. I can't stop shaking. Can't stop sobbing. I wet her shirt with my eyes and feel my body move in and out of shock.

I know she can't move because I'm embracing her so fiercely but damnit—it hurts! Everywhere... Every—damn—where!

"I'm s—so sorry... I'm... so so... sorry Na—Naruto...!" she whimpers. Within seconds I crush her to me, closer still. She hugs me back...and I just sob and sob, squinting my eyes shut tighter. I think to myself, my eyes will never dry up at this rate...

But the thoughts whirl faster inside my head and rupture, pouring into my vocal cords and into my distorted voice between cries. "Why... c—couldn't it... have been me?! It—it... should have... Been ME! Ero-Sennin... W—WHY!?" My last words hit her hard because she squeezes me silently. My body is wracked again, and then she speaks.

"You... You can't die...! Not now...!"

And I somehow lose to the crimson chakra again.

The words sink through my ears like poison, traveling to my heart and rupturing my Aorta. Spreading violently, until I feel the anger rise, and clench my fists into her back.

It boils and erupts in the same moment, and I scream vehemently. "HE... HE DIED BECAUSE OF...! ME! SAKURA-CHAN! IT'S MY FAULT! MY BURDEN! MY SELFISHNESS...!" I stop the yelling and I open my eyes abruptly because I sense her fear. I finish my thought with a gurgled, "...my p—pain..." and begin weeping again. The fire emanating in my veins disperses and turns bitter and frigid again... I start the trembling over, cold on the inside.

Sakura speaks after some time, her voice wavering. "Th—That's not true, Naruto! You... He... He'd never want you to feel that way! Jiraiya-sama would never... He'd never bl—blame you! Naruto...!"

Shit, I'm bawling. I'm done, finished, gone... Lost. The situation can't get any worse and I swear my tears can rival a waterfall now. All feelings of embarrassment have left me; I'm just empty...

Suddenly I'm pushed away from her slightly while she frees her arms. I'm left vulnerable and my limbs fall slack. The space between us is created with no words... I'm confused. I look up at her in fear—is she going to leave me?

But then I watch emerald widen and it's only seconds until her body slides directly in front of me; her face mirroring mine.

My heart aches and I stiffen, my eyes pooling with water once more. I can't process anything... My lips begin to tremble.

Meekly she takes my face into her hands and I swear I lose my sanity when she pulls me close...

And...kisses me.

On the forehead. My brow. On the right cheek. My left. On the nose. My chin...

I stifle a sob, blinking at her as more tears accumulate. Her face is red and I'm utterly dazed. I don't know if I'm just imagining this, or maybe I'm dreaming...? This can't be real...

But the look in her green depths tells me otherwise. There's so much compassion... and I can't be hallucinating... Is that love...?

My heart starts to pump faster, and I'm watching her face so incredibly close... Closer, closer... Her eyes shut and then I feel her lips press against mine.

She...kissed me... And I can't move because I'm in a stupor. I notice her lips are soft when she kisses me again, but I still don't respond. Then I feel her cheeks burn against my face and I figure she's blushing—but why...? Why in the world is she kissing me...? Why is she here, worrying about me, talking with me, next to me on my bed, holding my face—kissing me?!

After the second kiss she leaves space between our mouths—and I don't like it.

The animal in me tramples my composure and I move my hands up to her face and grasp it, disintegrating the space.

And now we're both kissing...

I kiss her. She kisses me. Our lips are meshing, our bodies aching with heart break. I push against her, the proximity of our bodies not sufficient. Heat spirals and explodes in my veins, everywhere. The sorrow, the cold, the wretched sobbing—all melting away. Steadily, until my whole body succumbs to the fire burning between us.

Against us.

In us.

Definitely not dreaming, I feel Sakura open her mouth to me—and my gut tightens.

I also believe I'm deranged...

But she wants more so I ravish her—swirl my tongue into her mouth without any hesitation. I need her so much, and I kiss her with all the passion and chastity I can muster in this state. Her mouth tastes sweet, I'm losing myself in her senses. I'm dizzy and breathless and really can't hold it in—so I let a moan escape my lips.

Where'd that come from, I think? Then her hands push me back, creating an airspace for the both of us. She's out of breath too—yet she looks so damn good.

I'm lustful when I behold her, but it's only a layer of what I really feel... I seek her soul, conveying the truth into her irises.

...It's love.

And then fresh tears spill. They trickle down her face delicately, while a blush cloaks her fair skin. She breaks the silence, "Naruto... Are you...?" and swallows once before continuing, "I—Is this... okay?"

And then I can't stop myself from showing teeth. The innocence and frailty and warmth—everything that was Haruno Sakura—made me smile.

I begin to stroke her cheeks, my hands still cupping her face. "What...are you saying...? I... now I feel so... happy," I quietly express. This beautiful girl, whom I love more than, well, ramen—couldn't make me happier. Even if she is violent at times, she still shares the same values and principles as me. She worries about me, yells at me, converses with me, has faith in me, heals me, hits me, hugs me, and now, even kisses me. Well, that's perfectly fine with me. She is flawless in my eyes, and this moment is more than okay...

I wipe her tears away with gentle caresses while I gaze at her tenderly.

She grins back at me. "I'm so glad... I was so worried, Naruto..."

Her face relaxes under my ministrations and I feel smug. "It's okay Sakura-chan..." And I smile bigger, gracing her with my trademark expression. "I think Ero-sennin would have wanted this to happen anyway!" And with that thought aloud I grin wider and laugh.

She narrows her eyes and scoffs, "Oh really?"

My somewhat perverse comment gives Sakura inner turmoil but I continue to wear my expression happily. I laugh louder, observing her profile before adding, "I'm sure of it! I'm... I'm going to miss him but, I don't think he'd want me to be sad... That's why! That's why I have you, Sakura-chan..." I give her a nod, further justifying my words before laying my goofy side to rest—I turn serious. "You're here... just like you said. And... that's more than I could have ever wanted."

Her face turns scarlet and I think I definitely want to kiss her again. This time though, I'll control my inner animal...

She laughs, embarrassed. "Ahaha... N-Naruto...youuummpf?!" Of course I don't let her finish.

I press my lips against hers. Again.

And she can't speak. Again.

Heh...

Then I pull back a little, stare deeply into her irises. "It's okay Sakura-chan... You can let your guard down around me, too." I've been wanting to say that for a while now... I'm incredibly happy, insanely happy even. I want to openly be her everything, because she's been mine all along...

She graces me with a smile—and I know it's genuine—and I pull her into a hug. I feel her clutch my jacket loosely, and I feel content.

I rest my head on hers and enjoy the moment of being wrapped in each other. I listen to the sound of her steady breathing, while she listens to my heart beat.

"Thank you..." she mumbles against my jacket. I kiss her head softly, and I know she feels me smile in her hair. Well, this is it. This is what I always wanted...

And finally...this is what she wants, too.

A/N: Yay! Twoshot completed... I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone that has been reviewing or favoriting (not a word, oh well xD) or following me or all of these even! For this story and all of my other ones, too! I feel honored and happy... so thank you :D. You guys make me want to keep writing, not just for myself hehe... so thank you... and look forward to hearing from me soon =).