Crossroads

(My future manga predictions)

-Naruto-

I walked through the leaf village`s gates, staring at the sight in front of me. The village looked distraught- wood and debris were scattered everywhere, and most all the buildings were destroyed. I saw foundations for a few houses and one house that was nearly whole. It was a big improvement since I had left. "The villagers must`ve been working hard," I said to myself. "They`ve done a lot to help Konoha." I felt my eyes water. "'Course...I still haven`t worked hard enough...for...my goal." I felt a few tears streem down my face, and I watched them fall to the ground. They darkened the earth, then dissapeared. Fresh new drops took their place and dissolved. "Sasuke..." I murmurred. "Naruto?! Is that you? Naruto!!" I heard a familiar voice yell.

-Hinata-

I stared up at the sky. It was a dark shade, and the sun wasn`t shining. I saw black birds fly overhead. I listened to them murmur their soft, melancholy song. They sounded so sad, so desperate. I sympathized with them. I, too, feel empty and desperate. Part of me wishes that I had wings as well, so that I could fly away and escape this place and everyone in it. But I know I have to be strong-I have to help everyone rebuild the village, and I have to face Naruto, soon. He`s been tormenting my thoughts for so long since that day. I just have to know his answer. I`m hoping its positive...but with all the things that have gone wrong since Pain`s attack, a part of me feels as though this will be another bad thing that happens to me. But I have to be strong like him. I have to be strong and wait. Whatever happens will happen soon enough...except for this once, I feel so impatient. I feel if I wait anymore, I`m going to burst. I have to do it, soon. I must.

-Sakura-
"Naruto!!" I yelled, again. I was glad to see him. "What if..." I thought, "What if Sasuke is coming behind him, soon?" I had to remind myself not to be selfish and think about him. I had to confront Naruto. Ever since Sai told me about how Naruto loved me and I how I was hurting him, I`ve felt terrible. I have to ask him to forgive me, and I have to tell him that he doesn`t have to rescue Sasuke for me. Even though I`d love to see Sasuke, again, I must rescue him myself. I can`t burden Naruto, anymore. Well, I would see. If Naruto had brought Sasuke back, then all I`d need to do was apologize and everything would be okay.

-Naruto-

I saw Sakura running towards me. I wiped my eyes so she couldn`t see my tears. I felt terrible. She`ll be so dissapointed in me when she finds out I haven`t brought Sasuke back. What could I tell her? Was there anything I could say that wouldn`t put her in pain? I didn`t think there was. She stopped in front of me. "Naruto! Listen, before you say anything, there`s something I have to tell you." I nodded. I didn`t feel as though I could speak. "Naruto, I...Sai talked to me. He told me about you." I gasped. How dare he?! "Sakura, I-!" "...he told me that you loved me. And he also told me that I was causing you pain." She started to cry. "S-Sakura...you..you`re not-" "I know I was selfish, Naruto. Back then. I clung to you and cried...that`s all I did, Naruto. I cried. I cried and I burdened you. And it`s been even worse, lately. I`ve...gotten closer to you, Naruto...we almost had Sasuke, twice...and he...he helped us. He helped us grow together. But the whole time I thought...I was enjoying being with you and you enjoyed it, too... but I realized...I was just hurting you, Naruto. Every time I was with you, I tormented you. All you could think about was how...you couldn`t keep your promise...but I don`t want you to worry about the promise, anymore. I just...I don`t want you to be in pain, Naruto. I can rescue Sasuke, really, I can. So I don`t want you to be in pain, anymore, Naruto. I don`t want you to worry about me anymore. I was so selfish. I`m so sorry...and I really hope that you`ll forgive me."

"S-Sakura..." I breathed. "No, no. Sakura you never...I mean...I`m the one that should be apologizing! I couldn`t bring Sasuke back, again. He attacked the five kages, but he dissapeared before I could get him. I failed you, again. I`m sorry." Sakura, still sobbing, walked closer to me and punched me right in the face. "Naruto, didn`t you hear what I said?! I don`t want you to worry about that-about me-anymore!" Sakura`s words touched me, but I saw dissapointment in her face. She wanted Sasuke back, I know she did. "Sakura," I started, "I know you don`t want me to worry. But I know that through all this...even if-the thought did cross my mind a few times-even if you loved me...love me...I know that you still love Sasuke. I know that feelings that strong can`t go away, Sakura. So...since I care about you...I don`t want you to be sad. I want you to be happy. And for you to be truly happy, I know that you have to have Sasuke." Sakura`s eyes welled up with tears. Oh, Naruto!!" She cried, suddenly embracing me. "Naruto...I`m sorry." "I know. It`s okay." I knew what she meant-she was sorry for causing me pain...but also sorry that she didn`t return my feelings. I loved her. I would always love her. We could`ve been much more, but I know that it will be better this way-for both of us.

We stayed locked in the embrace for a long time, until finally she let go of me and left, leaving to go help the others rebuild the village. I`d be right behind her, soon.

"N-Naruto!"
I heard a soft voice call my name. I turned around, surprised. It was Hinata. What was she doing here?