Much Too Early; Much Too Late.

Quickly and quietly, Naruto stood up. If he hadn't been listening, he would never have heard it: knocking.

No, not knocking: thumping.

He walked to the wall beside his door and listened: it sounded like someone was outside. A sudden crash almost made him jump backwards, but he sprang forwards instead and almost tore the door from the wall. There was a dangerous presence, an angry presence, but in slow motion, as he swung the door open, the presence faded, and he saw a hand, then he saw an arm, light red hair, Sakura, laying beside his door.

"Sakura!" He shouted, jumping out of his apartment and landing almost on top of her on all fours. He looked to his left and saw a man in a white shirt with black hair jumping away. Naruto bounded to the edge of the hallway, watching the man spring away, and a crazy thought entered his brain...

"Sasu... no, no... Sasuke," he whispered. He prepared to fling himself after the man, but he heard a moan and a cry from behind him.

"Naruto!" Sakura cried out, coughing and retching. "Naruto, help me." He spun around and saw Sakura sit up, holding her side.

He glanced forlornly after the man, and he grew angry, knowing that even his shadow clones wouldn't be able to catch up to him now. He ran back to Sakura, gathered her in his arms and kissed the top of her head as she cried into his shirt.

Author's Note: