The Anatomy of a Kiss, a naruto fanfic

Summary: they were always destined to love, but being together is a different story

Disclaimer: Dare I say that I don't own Naruto.

The Anatomy of a Kiss

She giggled as he placed a wet kiss on her cheek.

"Will you marry me?"

Bright, green eyes looked into black ones.

"Yes."

And the two went down the jungle gym.

"Mommy!"

"Yes Sakura, darling."

"I'm going to marry Sasuke!"

And the mother laughed because kids were naïve and so blind to love.

"What mommy?"

"We need to go home now."

"Okay! Bye Sasuke!"

And the one with the black eyes and dark hair watched as the love of his life bounced away.

The kiss was on the cheek, so casual, but he still felt it on his lips, and she had the lingering feeling on her face.

Thirteen.

A mere five years was needed for him to push her out of his life. She still hoped though. Because she remembered the old Sasuke who was willing and loving. But now she was "annoying," what a despicable word. She never told, but every time he called her that, her love for him only burned stronger.

"Sasuke-kun!"

Praises for him shot out of her mouth without warning. He would only glance back at her, and she knew what he was thinking. YOU ARE WEAK. And the burning of those three words lasted for years.

Thank you.

And now it was her turn to watch the love of her life slip for her grasp. She lay on the cold bench silently until dawn came, then she told the others. She could have stopped him, punched him straight in the jaw. She could have yelled for help, or proven that she was not as weak as she seemed. But he let him go.

There was no kiss this time around. And her heart called out for him to come home. No answer.

He had beaten Orochimaru. He had the strength to bring down his brother. All the puzzle pieces of his life were finally glued together. And for the first time in his life he looked back.

Shock.

He was like a tornado, destroying everything that dared get in his way.

Naruto and Sakura's faces both twisted in a grimace as they saw his deeds.

Kakashi's hurt pride as one of his students appeared in the bingo book, just waiting to be hunted down.

His mother's happiness, Sakura's happiness, all evaporated. Why did they still care for him? He wanted them to stop caring. He wanted them to loathe him, to hate him, despise him. Those feelings came too late.

He touched his lips. Karin had kissed him.

The kiss was possessive, hungry. Like an animal marking its pride. No, he had never belonged to her. He had belonged to someone else. And he watched in horror as pink hair turned to red.

She had had her first kiss at fifteen. Her second came two weeks later. And she watched as her love morphed and twisted until the only thing she could give was miniscule to the amount she received. Her heart still belonged to him, that would never change. Even if she grew old, wrinkled, and had a husband, her love for him would still be there, burning and flaming until her last breath.

"Neji…"

She stopped as he pressed his lips against hers.

"Goodnight, Sakura."

And as she closed the door, she sank down onto her knees. She felt her heart opening up again, and warming up to Neji. HE had been gone seven years already, she still loved him, but love made sacrifices, and Sasuke's love hurt.

She agreed to go on a second date with him, and then found herself with him every night. He brought her roses, and clothes, and countless other tokens of his affection towards her. And she gave too. She gave him the little parts of her that were still open to receive love.

When he proposed, she said yes.

The kiss was the sweetest thing she had ever had.

Three years later, he decided he needed to come back. He was twenty-three, and life was killing him. He knew Sakura was married. He knew the moment it happened, because he was there, sitting on the branch of a tree as the wedding procession went on.

Be happy.

A selfish part of him knew that she still loved him, but as he saw Sakura look into Neji's eyes, a twinge of pain appeared in his gut. She looked up at Neji with a look that was once only reserved for himself. He was too late.

So now, three years after the wedding, he sent her a letter.

She never got hand-addressed letters. She opened it with hesitance and read:

Sakura,

Be happy. Thank you. I love you.

-Sakuke

There was no return address. No stamp. She ran to the Uchiha complex, and banged on the door of his old house. The door opened.

He glanced at the pink-haired woman in front of him. And his eyes softened.

She held up the open-ended letter.

"Explain it."

And he did. With a kiss. A kiss of regret, mourning, loss. A kiss that said goodbye. Goodbye Sakura.

Goodbye, Sasuke.

And his love let her go. It let her go to someone who would make her happy. Someone who wouldn't hurt her like he did.

A day after her encounter with Sasuke, she got another letter.

Dear Sakura,

We were always destined to love, but being together is another story.

-Sasuke