An awful sensation creeps into Neji's being as he trudges through the halls, alone. He doesn't mind being alone, nor the lack of friends; but this feeling, this gross feeling that wiggles and squirms in the pit of his stomach, it's just downright awful!

It's insecurity, and it's preying on Neji's wellbeing. With sharp fangs, it bites into his neck, drawing out any self-confidence he has left.

At one point in time, he knew he was worthy of love, affection, and tenderness. He knew he deserved respect, help, and care, but with Sasuke leaving him high and dry, all certainty swept away with him.

Now, he doesn't know if he deserves any of that. He let jealousy get the best of him, and like all the other ex-boyfriend's, tried to sabotage and bully the next boy in line. Although, he feels no remorse for what he did to Naruto because it wasn't much. He didn't go all extreme like Kiba did, just a little shove here and a threat there.

Neji curses himself for still wanting Sasuke. It takes nearly half a year to get over a breakup, and he's not even halfway through.

The recovery stage is taking a toll on Neji, and it seems like any time he spots Sasuke, he relapses. His hair lost its shine, his skin lost its glow, and not to mention, his libido is PMSing.

He's miserable.

The first half of his day flies by but slows to a crawl once lunch hits. Neji eats alone. He abandoned his friends for deceptive love, so he has no one.

Or so he thinks.

Rock Lee, a former acquaintance of both Neji and Sasuke, pops up in front of him.

"Neji!" He addresses Neji loudly. "May I sit with you?"

Neji doesn't look up from his food. "Knock yourself out."

Lee takes a seat. He sits rigidly across from Neji.

"What do you want?" Neji finally asks, after moments of silence.

"I will be straight with you," Lee says, staring at Neji's lowered head. "I am happy that Sasuke broke up with you."

His head pops up quickly to glare at Lee. His hands clench into fists, and for a second, he thinks of punching those stupid eyebrows off of his face.

"Fuck off," Neji seethes.

Lee waves his hands. "Wait, wait, let me finish!" He pauses and takes a breath. "Neji, I like you, that is why I'm happy that Sasuke left you. On that day, when news got around, I felt like I had a chance with you."

Neji smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Heh, well I'm not looking for a boyfriend."

"That is fine." Lee stands from his seat. "You're in a dark place right now, and I don't want to be with you if you are still caught up on that Uchiha."

Neji glares again at Lee.

"You are not yourself, and I don't want to love anything other than you."

With that, Lee leaves, returning to his other friends.

A flurry of emotions wells up inside Neji. Anger, sorrow, happiness, disgust, and helplessness mix together, making him lose his appetite.

He wants to reach out to Lee, ask him if this Sasuke thing gets any better; if the pain of being used ceases for a moment and brings him peace. But he doesn't. He sits and wallows in self-pity.

To think that someone still loves him, despite his cruelty, despite his jealousy.

Someone loves him for him.

How ridiculous. Neji laughs.

And it feels good to laugh.

...

Sasuke, for once, is angry with Naruto. He feels like he's been betrayed. Yet, he's still dragging Naruto around, holding his hand in an ironclad grip.

"Um, Sasuke?" Naruto says before buying into a sandwich Sasuke bought him.

"What."

"Can we sit? My feet are starting to hurt."

Sasuke stops and plops down on the ground, taking Naruto with him. They're on the outside of the art building, sitting below a window to a classroom.

"Sit in my lap," Sasuke grumbles, tugging Naruto on to him. Naruto, thinking it's better to do as he says, curls up in Sasuke's lap.

Silence envelopes them, but Naruto knows that Sasuke wants to ask him something. He feels it in his bones.

"Do you love Itachi?"

There it is. That question Naruto knows was coming.

"No," he answers, and it's the truth.

Sasuke is hesitant. "Do you...love me?"

Naruto swallows before looking Sasuke in his eyes.

"No." This is also the truth. Naruto understands Sasuke's feelings for him but doesn't reciprocate them. He doesn't love anyone romantically and hasn't experienced it before Sasuke.

Naruto never knew romantic emotions could entice such anger and envy from some people. From the movies he watched, he thought it was all fluffy cotton and sugar gun drops. But Sasuke never showed any of that, just anger and possessiveness.

If Sasuke is disappointed with the answer, it doesn't show on his face. His expression is stony and distant.

"Naruto, I love you." It's said with a blank exterior.

"I know." Naruto smiles and rests his head against Sasuke's shoulder.

It's all Sasuke can ask for right now. Naruto acknowledges his love, and it's all he can ask for.

...

A/N: Crying? Don't know her. My laptop is now fixed, but I still did this on my phone. Love you, bye!