Disclaimer: Naruto and all the characters, places and… everything else, belong to Masasashi Kishimoto. This little story, however pitiful, is mine.
Warnings: One-sided LeexSaku.
Waiting
One-shot
The cherry blossoms are drifting towards the ground, all around me. There is a light breeze, filling my nostrils with their sweet scent, reminding me of her. Everything does.
I find myself wondering what she is doing, at this very moment. The mission she went on wasn't exactly a safe one. However difficult I find it to admit, I trust Naruto. He will protect her. I made him promise, using the Gai-sensei pose. He can never break a promise like that. But, Sai, on the other hand…
I don't know him. I don't think I want to, either.
He is just as cold-hearted as Sasuke, maybe even more so. That's what scares me the most. I don't want Sakura to fall for someone like that again; she'll just end up getting hurt.
I hate it when Sakura gets hurt. I hated it when Sasuke broke her heart. I couldn't do anything about it. And she didn't want me to.
I think she hates me. But, for some reason, I don't mind. She'll come around, some day. She'll see how much I love her. Even though forever seems painful, I can wait that long if she needs me to.
I won't be with anyone else but Sakura, it's impossible to love anyone else because I've given her my heart in it's entirety and I can't get even a sliver of it back. My only hope for salvation is that she'll give me her's in return.
The wind is growing stronger, now. I can feel it ruffling my hair. My body shivers, but I don't feel the chill. Sakura is the only thing that fills my mind.
I ordered myself that, if I recovered, I would work hard… and then she would eventually love me. I know that she will, because I'm working harder than ever.
I open my eyes, looking around the field. Meditation always helps me clear my mind, and it feels as if I've really rested… though I know that I don't have time for that. I have to train harder, faster; I have to become a strong man who can truly protect the one that he loves.
And I will. I have to.
I stand, walking to the pole I've been punching for the last few hours.
Flexing my fingers, I ball my hands into fists and throw them into the middle of the wood, one at a time, one and then the other, perfect harmony.
Soon, she will be mine. I know that she will.
We may not be in perfect harmony now, but we will be. If anything, this hard work will pay off. She will realize that I am better than Sasuke, better than Naruto, or Neji, or any other person who may appear to deserve her affections.
I am the only one who will truly protect her.
Soon, we will be like the sun and the moon. The land and the sea. Ever-present, un-wavering, and beautiful. Love is like that.
But, until then, I will remain here. Waiting…
Waiting until I am ready to protect my Sakura. Because only then, and not a moment before, will she realize that there is no one on this earth, in Konoha or any other village, who is as matched for her as I am. And the image of that future is the only thing that keeps me going.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I haven't been doing much here lately since my Momiji angst fic. I actually have a sequel to it, I'm just not sure that I'm entirely happy with it. I haven't really done much writing at all, lately. Anyway, I'm back with another oneshot. I'm planning on posting a multi-chapter fic later on, as a continuation of this.
I really don't want to hear about how much that sucked. It was more of a rant. It's not supposed to be understandable. Do you think that Lee-kun would be thinking clearly when he's all doped up on his medicine, exhausted from all his work, and smiling like a sick puppy because he's thinking about Sakura? Exactly.
Reviews are appreciated. )