♫ This love has taken its toll on me ♫ (Private, English, Kushina's room, feel free to sing along...)

"... Sorry." she repeated, again, and let go, biting her lip. Damn. She was making it worse by the minute, wasn't she?

"I.. I should probably... just.. just go. Sorry," he said in a low voice.

She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. 'M just messin' ya up." she sighed. "I've never, ever been good enough for you. You... Deserve better." fiddling with her skirt.

"Don't... Kushina, don't, please, it's not.. not true," he said helplessly, but not turning to look at her.

"Don't be ridiculous, Minato. You're... Bright. Pure. I'm... Tainting you."

"Goddammit.." he turned and caught her in her arms, pressing her close even though he was shaking. "Don't, don't you ever say that. You're all I ever want, you gotta.. gotta remember that.."

Tears welled up in her eyes, too, now. "But.... You deserve..." sniff "... Someone better. Purer. Like you."

"Don't... 'Shina, that's.. that's shit, that's just wrong... You're.. I don't want other girls, just.. just you, you're perfect for me..."

"Can't be, not with the way 'm fuckin' things up," she sobbed.

"No.. it's not like that, I'm just, I was lying to myself about.. thought we could, that.. I forgot to think about you.. don't, please. I love you.."

"I..." sniff "... Love you, too. But, 'Nato..." a small hiccup, "I... I can't stand seeing ya like this, when I brugh this upon ya, 'ttebane."

"Ok. Ok. I'll. I'll go, and.. and we'll not see each other for a while. It's, like, we're ruining each other. Right now. Okay?"

She bit her lip again, nodded. "... A pause. Until we're ready again." Sniffle.

"Yeah..." he dipped his head and kissed her, very gently. "I'll.. see you in class." A quick look into her eyes, then, wiping at his own, he turned and made for the door.

A nod, and a small: "... I'll miss you."

He couldn't speak, just nodded. And then he left.

And, as soon as he did, the tears started sliding down her cheeks.