Author Notes: I hope you guys enjoy! This little fictional scene wouldn't stay out of my head and I had to write it down.
Disclaimer: I do not seek to own Naruto, the gifted right of ownership has always fallen to Masashi Kishimoto.
What If?- A One-shot
If I ever regretted
It was because I loved you
If I ever did the opposite
It was because the answer never changed.
It's five o' clock in the morning when the conversation comes up; when Sakura has the nerve to poke at a subject that both would rather bury deep.
Surrounded by last night's pity-party, ramen lying abandoned on the coffee table with old photos, Naruto finds that he'd rather not have this conversation lying on Sakura's living room floor. But with him flat on his stomach, Sakura's petite hand twisted in his, it's hard to turn away from her desolate stare and pretend that she didn't exist-that he didn't care what this was about.
"What if we had loved each other?"
It was such a simple question yet the dialogue to that answer ran too deep for Naruto to fully give it proper words. He knew what she meant and he wouldn't dream of playing dumb right at this moment. Sakura loved him and Naruto loved her but the idea of them in love, the demon container had long ago locked up thoughts of a 'them' just like the beast inside him. It didn't mean it still wasn't there though.
The empty silence seemed to have endured on too long because Sakura added more to the equation, taking the noiseless air as a sign that he didn't comprehend or that he was too uncomfortable to answer. Her weighted green eyes couldn't have looked more heartbreaking.
"I mean…sometimes I wish I had loved you like that back when we were sixteen Naruto, I always wonder what if, what if? What if I had loved that idiot who adored me, who cared for me, who I never once gave a chance? Don't you ever wonder too Naruto?
He's always wondered and still does. Sakura is never too far from his thoughts; it's inevitable practically sinful now that he has a girl on his arm. Shy Hinata, the girl who risked her life to remove Pein's rods from his body was supposed to be the blonds everything, yet his flow of mind always lingered on his rosette teammate. Naruto wanted to tell his best friend that it never had ended on his half that he would forever keep her close to his heart, but the future kept him from voicing his confession. After all, he knew they had no future-Sasuke had seen to that.
He was dead, forever gone, and yet he still managed to control their lives so effortlessly. He was even more cunning in death.
She's staring off into space when he finally snaps his own weary azure eyes to see her; she's staring at everything and anything but him. Naruto takes the opportunity to pull on her dainty hand and tug her astonished form towards his. They're face to face, a fresh step away from it being inappropriate, and tells her what they both need to hear, what they always avoid doing.
"Sakura there's always going to be what if's in our heart but…We can't live in the past…not anymore…it's time to for us to move on, we deserve it."
It's like an oath passing his lips more so than a reassurance. It feels earnest, but more importantly, it's the truth.
Sakura looks confused hurt even but Naruto takes his other hand, the one not holding Sakura, and cups her face only to wipe his single thumb under the softness of her eye. He seals the deal.
"To answer your question I've wondered too, however my love for you as a friend bypasses always the affection in which I regard you as more than a friend. I will always love you Sakura and I know you love me. It should never get more complicated than that. It's time to be happy."
The light in her eyes, it was like dawn springing up highlighting the dew caught in them. The tears were flowing-Sakura style- and the blond headed man knew she, no they, were going to be alright.
Naruto took her fully into his chest, her sobbing stretched on in the wake of the morning. Though when she was done, was healed, she sweetened the promise with her own words.
"You're late for your date with Hinata. Don't leave her waiting at Ichiraku."
Naruto couldn't remember the last time he laughed so hard.
End
Author Notes: As always please have a generous soul and review! I would love some feedback. ;)