Sakura dragged herself out of bed with a muttered curse; someone had better be dying, and even then- She lost her train of thought as she opened the door to reveal Naruto, downcast and blotchy, eyes red and face wet, arms curled around himself as though he were braced for a blow - or had already taken one.

"I- I had a talk with Sasuke," Naruto said, his voice raspy and weak, and more tears coursed down his face; his cheeks already looked a little raw from crying, "we're- we- we're not gonna be able to. . . It's not working. Not for a long time. And- I-"

Sakura opened her arms, pulling Naruto inside, hiding her cringe - half distress and half fury - in Naruto's hair as he buried his face against her shoulder, shaking.