Naruto’s nindo was always important to him. ‘I never go back on my word’. He always followed it, year after year. But there was one time when he thought it completely hopeless to. When Sakura asked him, no, begged him, to bring back ‘her Sasuke-kun’.

He always wanted to make her happy, but even he knew that this was an impossible task. He tried, day after day, to become strong, strong enough to fulfill his promise to the girl he cared so much about.

He knew that he’d always regret promising her that, because even though he’d do anything for her happiness, he was selfish. All these years, he told himself that he was following his nindo and making Sakura-chan happy. But he didn’t want that. He didn’t want someone else to make her happy. He didn’t want to lose her to Sasuke again, like he always had. He was following his nindo, but going against his heart.

He knew, the moment she begged him to bring Sasuke back, that he never could. His mind always told him to bring his brother back, and to make Sakura-chan happy. But his heart wouldn’t allow it. Every time they tried to bring him home, every time they saw him, a small part of Naruto died. Each time he saw Sakura-chan’s eyes light up with hope and love for the traitor, Naruto died inside, a little more each time. He could never bring him back, because Naruto never wanted him to return. It was always one step forward, two steps back.

Naruto was being selfish, and sacrificed the love of his life’s happiness for him. He knew he shouldn’t, but he loved her and he couldn’t stand her loving another man. He knew she would never love him and he accepted that fact. He would always be her friend, nothing more. He didn’t know whether to smile because they were friends, or cry because that’s all that they’ll ever be.

But at night, his dreams would be filled with her, loving and caring about the demon boy. And so each morning he had to remind himself of the fact that he would always be alone.

Naruto realized at a young age, that everyone would hurt you sooner or later. He just had to realize who’s worth the pain. He loved Sakura more than anything in the world, and in his heart he knew that he could make her happy if she’d only give him a chance.

But he knew she never would.

And he knew that Sasuke wasn’t worth the pain of seeing his love in another man’s arms, not again.

Sasuke may never return to Konoha because Naruto is selfish. But then again, aren’t we all?