So close and yet so far

by mse123

It's known that when you like someone you will try to get all his/her attention, making jokes, forgeting "unintentionally" your copybooks...But, of course, there are always exceptions. And the " Oh so sexually tensed relationship between the Teme and Sakura-chan", as Naruto, the stander-by of this situation, would say, is one of this exceptions that shatter into pieces the observation. Why? Nobody had an answer. It was an enigma just like what Kakashi-sensei, their hometeacher, was hiding under his mask.

Sakura and Sasuke hadn't a good start of their bond, it's true, the handsome black-haired boy considering the green-eyed girl an "annoying fangirl", but they grew up being fond of each other, even being worried when the other wouldn't show at school or share their bentos in the lunch break. All their friends were certain that those two will get together with no problem and were betting when they will get married and how many kids they will have. However, all of that changed when the two victims of the gossips stopped greeting each other and started pretending not to know each other. No exchange of copybooks, no shy smiles, no blushes, no nothing.

"I can't bear it anymore!" says Ino, a baby-blue eyed girl with long blonde hair just like the summer sun. "We have to do something with Sakura and Sasuke! They behave like two idiots!"

"I can't believe it that I'm saying this, but I agree with you, ttebayo! The tension between those two its so powerful that I can't even eat my ramen when I am with them!" declares Naruto, the mentioned friend and witness.

"WHAT THE HECK DID YOU SAY, IDIOT?!"

"Ino, calm down. Geez, this is so troublesome." mutters bored Shikamaru, the genius of the group.

"E-everybody..." mouths Hinata, a gentle young lady with a pair of lavender eyes and long-waist shining dark hair, while poking her fingers timidly "I-i have an idea"

Three pairs of eyes turn to her and she blushes from the attention.

"TEMEEEE!"

"Tch, dobe, what?" says annoyed Sasuke.

"Come with me and don't ask anything!" Naruto takes the muscular arm and starts to pull his best friend.

"What the fu-"

"Shut up. I said no questions!"

"Ino. Who do you want to show me?" asks Sakura curious.

"Wait and see, Forehead! Wait and see!"

Suddenly, a loud shreak disturbs the peace of the deserted corridor.

"Naruto?"

"Sakura-chan!" waves enthusiastically the blonde-haired with his free hand. "Look who I brought here!" He pushes Sasuke who stops at a few millimeters of the petite girl.

"What is happening?" hisses the girl trough griteed teeth.

"Oh, it's late! We should go, Naruto! Be good kids you two and use protection!" screams Ino while getting outside with Naruto.

"Ino!" But the door slams, leaving no chance of complaining.

"I'm so gonna kill her!"

"Hn."

"And you are still as annoying as ever!"

"Hn. You too."

"Don't you dare call me that after you rejected my love! You know how much it hurt?!" She grabs the front of his once immaculate shirt.

"You still don't understand, huh? You are so stupid sometimes."

"Excuse me? Let's see who is stupid after I punch your handsome face. I mean, your idiotic face!"

"Thanks for the compliment." he smirks.

Silence surrounds them for a long period of time. Only their breaths and heartbeats can be heard.

"Sakura" he says with a serious face.

Her heart pounds even faster. How can he have such an effect on her even after so long?

"That time, when you confessed, you know what I thought after I left you crying?"

Her eyes widen with amazement.

"That I'm an idiot for rejecting someone as beautiful as you...I was overwhelmed with jealousy because of my brother that I didn't even realized the depth of all the things you had said back then. I...was so embarassed that I wanted to hide from you. Sakura...I..."

His words drown in his throat after his body meets the warmth of the little one in front of him. His arms move on its own, circling her waist.

"I love you too."