Prologue

'Naruto... Thank you, thank you for keeping my promise. I don't know what I'd do if Sasuke didn't return to us... You've done a lot for me...' The words echoed through his head, that sweet feminine voice that had rung so merrily on that day. Accompanied by a beautiful smile, a smile he'd longed to see for awhile now... He had kept his promise, he had made Sakura-chan happy. He had returned the one she loved most to her. The moonlight entered the room and his blue eyes stared ahead unfocused to his dresser. A small pain went through his chest, his hand that was underneath the pillow fisted at the blanket. He tried to think of that smile again, the one that made the pain go away. She was happy! He should be glad... Sakura would be heartbroken if Sasuke did not return.

He never wanted Sakura to feel like that, experience this pain that was running through him right now. He knew with pain very well, he had grown up with it. Like quick, yet small stabs to the heart. They just kept on adding up with her rejections, more jabs here and more pain there. But he had always had hope, it was his steel shield against the heartache and doubt. Somewhere he had hoped, that along with his future of becoming hokage would stand a Sakura, smiling and with him and only him. He wanted to be the one to hold her, protect her, lover her. He had once, thought of a family. Having his own family, that was something that rarely entered his mind, but it did. He wanted a family with her.

"Sakura..." That hope was split. Sakura belonged to Sasuke now, as it should be. Not with him, but with the male he called brother. He was jealous, yes. He always would be, but he was also happy for them. They deserved it, they deserved their happiness. Naruto had being Hokage to look forward too. It wasn't such a far off dream now. It would take awhile... It wasn't without more hard work either. It's just that his future and dreams were working their way into a reality. It was like Sasuke's retrieval was a milestone he had passed in his life, moving closer and closer to get to the next.

So what was troubling Naruto so much? The summer night's heat made it's way to his room, an image continued to torment him. Her face, her voice... As a seventeen year old boy, he can honestly say that was as far as he'd gone before. The image of her would bring a small light into his heart, unexplainable for why it was there but it was. But now, now when she was gone with Sasuke, unofficially claimed by someone else, did he start to picture her more. Want her more.

He closed his eyes, curling up on his bed and resting. Now he saw more clearly, how creamy her pale skin looked. Her rosy cheeks in a small blush. She couldn't be blushing for him... Was she? She looked so cute anyhow. He remembered the way she had leaned in and placed her lips to his cheek in a small peck while thanking him that day. Her lips were so soft and moist, her skin that had just brushed faintly against his was milky-soft and warm. 'Thank you Naruto... You gave me hope when I had lost it. You are most definitely one of my important people!'

He smiled to himself as he recalled that. He was an important person to her... Naruto sighed blissfully. Those cherry lips had moved over and pressed against his. This was no longer a memory, this was his own imagination. She held him tightly, he held her back. The Naruto on the bed could practically feel the cherry blossom's presence on him, shifting so that he could lie on his back and let that feeling envelope him. In his head he could hear her breathy voice, whispering sweet things to him. Why was this happening now?

"Hmm... Sakura-chan..." he whispered back to nobody, but for him he was speaking to his goddess, the one delivering him to a world of love. A faint blush touched his cheeks, his mind gone hazy to any realities of how he couldn't be with her, how right now she could be playing out his fantasy with Sasuke. Or... Another important fact.

"Tsk Tsk, thinking about your secret cherry lover while with another woman, how unlike you... I always took you for the loyal type." Naruto shifted uncomfortably, a scoff appearing on his heated face at the rude and unwanted interruption to his very vivid dream. Though the demon made a good point. Hinata-chan had went after him one day, making her feelings known to . He had been shocked to the extent the Hyuuga girl had idolized him. It was almost in a way he could himself in her...

It was through the amount of wanting to be noticed by that special person. He had told her sorry, oh God was he sorry... He didn't like hurting people who were so decent and sweet. He didn't choose it, but his heart was with Sakura and would always belong to her. He had seen the heartbreak, the admiration for him clouded by sadness. He had not given her the reason why he rejected her. Just a vague idea of why he couldn't be with her. 'My head is still in that special place and I still can't get it out.'

In growth and maybe he had rubbed off some of his charm, but she didn't give up. Still watching him shyly, attempting a few times at approach. That sadness, that hope... That what had reminded him so much of himself was there in her. It took some time for him to agree to try this out. When he had seen Sakura everywhere with Sasuke, seen how close he held her and how happy she looked...

'Why should I tie her down... Maybe, maybe I need someone who recognizes me... Hinata-chan, you're giving me what I always wanted from her. You're so sweet, you deserve a chance...'

They had spent time together and it was much different from the company he usually had. She was polite, sensible, but quiet. Even at seventeen, Naruto was loud, even if matured up to quite some extent. His manners were worked on, but he still went way out of line. She never commented on it, merely blushing and giving him a small smile. He could tell, she aimed to please, keeping thoughts to herself and not joining in on too much fun. Not that she wasn't enjoyable to be around! Just with Sakura, they shared the same view. The thought of ditching Kakashi with her, then with Hinata... Well, different stories right there.

Hinata was a good companion though, with a good ear for any of his rants. But there was something lacking, something he wondered if she felt too. But he couldn't place a name to it...

"Heh, you human mortals and your non-understanding ways. You wonder why you feel nothing for the Hinata girl? Because she's easy that's why..." Naruto felt his anger spark, sitting up in his bed as he glared out infront of him with his blue eyes concentrated. What did Kyuubi just say? Naruto curled a fist and brought it down on the mattress roughly in retaliation.

'WHAT! Hinata-chan isn't easy, she's not that kinda girl! You have it all wrong and you better take it back, she's nice and sweet and--' The Kyuubi interrupted Naruto's rant train with a small growl. As a demon he lacked patients with such inferior minds. He was amazed at how reactive his vessel was in terms of emotions. He was right--The boy was feircly loyal. That comment must have threatened his friendship and respect for the Hyuuga.

"You misunderstand, as usual, boy. I don't even know why I bother, but I suppose in choosing a mate you'd need any help you could get. Hinata is 'easy' in the sense she'd let you do what you want. She was yours with no effort on your part. She idolizes you, respects you. This is good to some extent, but the fact she's letting you get away with things that your other woman wouldn't... Well, it goes to show which one is the more feirce and playful. Hinata makes for a good companion, but Sakura is the one you crave for. She wouldn't give in, she makes you work harder and be a better you to grab her attention and earn her respect. She's playful with you, thinks the same way and provides you with some fun. Admit it--You're in love and very attracted to the pink haired kunoichi.'

Naruto looked outside before walking over to the open window and looking at the silent night. He was without a shirt, just with loose shorts on such a hot night. Working so hard had changed him, once scrawny arms and legs toned with muscles. He was a runner and his training and ninja lifestyle made him lean and agile. Tall and not overdone with only a four pack on his flat stomache to show for how buff and strong he could really be. One could easily tell that he had physically matured even if they couldn't see how he did mentally.

He would admit it. Hands down Sakura was the one he wanted. Hinata-chan was someone he wanted to be friends with, someone that had respected him and believed in him. With a smile, he thought of all the people he had gained respect from over the years. Even Sasuke, who was probably the person he wanted to prove his worth to the most. Naruto never had a brother before... The way he had competed, strived and worked to match and surpass the youngest and now only Uchiha was a brotherly bond...

Sasuke was family. He had gained Sasuke's recognition and respect which had been no easy feat. 'Hmm, Kyuubi... You think I don't know what you're saying? Even if all that is true... Sakura does not return my feelings. She deserves someone like Sasuke. He is strong, with a steady head on his shoulders... He will achieve a high status and his goal to revive his clan will be complete soon.' His knuckles turned white on the window sill, taking in a deep and calming breath. That was where Sakura fit in didn't she?

'And me... I'm going to become Hokage, damnit. What do I have to complain about?' With a smirk and a small chuckle, Naruto made his way back to the bed. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, with the festival and all. As a Jounin he was merely to greet the other allies (Gaara would be there, that was great!), accompany them for awhile and check them out secretly to make sure nothing was out of place... Then be off enjoying his day. From there he gennin and chuunin would have patrol duty.

"Don't think you can shrug this off so easy... You can't let go of her and knowing you, this will all be a complicated mess." Kyuubi's words drifted around Naruto's head right before he fell asleep. His mind was immediately assaulted with the presence of a feisty pink haired kunoichi and he continued his little dream in peace until morning's call...

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AN/

EDIT: This is an edited verision and I hope there is an improvement from last time. Thank you McGrady for the helpful tips! English truely is a weakness for me, because I am still just learning it and then I have to learn French (it's mandatory in Canada) and perfect my own two languages. But I do try.

I place a disclaimer on my story and all it's chapters. Naruto does not belong to me, nor am I making money of off this fan-made story.
Thank you to everyone else who reviewed. Your comments made me smile and has motivated me to make the next chapter.