Original Summary:

Sasuke has come back, so where does that leave Naruto? Naruto turns to leave the village and the coupleSakuraSasuke. Sakura stops him before he leaves. NarutoSakura oneshot

I'll be right here waiting for you.

Naruto watched as Sakura and Sasuke embraced each other. Sasuke had finally been ridden of Orchimaru and his brother. Sasuke said sorry over and over again to Sakura as she cried.

Naruto quietly walked away from the couple, unable to see anymore. Sasuke had returned, he had returned…to Sakura. Naruto's thoughts ran to him. He disappeared and went to look for the pervert.

He found him near the hot springs. He tapped him on his shoulder. The old man laughed as he stared into the window. "Ero-senin!" Naruto screamed, finally getting his attention. Jiariya turned around and saw Naruto. A depressed aura was forming around him. He knew better than to ask though. Jiariya did not even bother to joke with him and asked him if he wanted training.

Naruto nodded and asked about what cool new move he would teach him next. Jiariya frowned when Naruto did not have his usual enthusiastic voice. Naruto had knocked Sasuke back to his senses, something he was never able to do with Orchimaru. He looked at Naruto, looking for source of his troubles.

Jiariya suggested to leave tomorrow, Naruto whined about starting it immediately. Jiariya sensed Naruto was leaving something behind, but argued no farther.

Naruto packed his things and walked past Lee and Gai. "Naruto-kun, where are you going?"

"Training, I'm going to become stronger!"

Gai and Lee gave their trade-mark thumbs up and sparkling smile. Naruto slowly walked away and went through the field with Jiariya.

Naruto was leaving Konoha when he heard his name. He turned around and saw Sakura. "Lee told me you were going to train, but why are you leaving the village?"

"Ero-sennin is going to take me to a place where I can train to become Hokage!" Naruto said as much enthusiasm he could conjure up.

"Sasuke just came back. We could –"

"Where is he anyway?"

Sakura looked down on the moving grass, "He went to see Itachi and the Hokage. Tsunade-sensei said she just keep him in the village till Konoha trusts him again. And Itachi … well, since he's gone insane … he isn't much a threat anymore. They might carry out the execution though."

"Well, tell Sasuke he better get stronger or I will beat him when I come back!" Naruto said energetically.

"Come back? How long will you be gone?" Sakura looked up at him. Sakura knew a part of her was being selfish, but she really wanted her team to be back together again.

"It depends how long the training takes, a few months or years." Naruto said.

Sakura finally noticed Jiariya presence. She greeted him then looked at Naruto. "Don't stop on account of me." He said still standing there. Sakura and Naruto did not say anything. Jiariya frowned and finally went off to some bush to spy.

A few minutes passed and they still stood there. They glanced at each other often then quickly looked away. Sakura wanted him to stay, but could not find the words.

Naruto shifted, "I'm going to go." Sakura was staring at the grass and nodded. He turned and left. Sakura started crying. She did not know why the tears just begun to fall. Naruto had left before, for two years even. Sakura shook her head furiously. Naruto always comes back. Sakura thought. She could not help to feel suddenly lost when she saw a faint image of the blonde walking away. She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, but the tears just kept falling.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her legs felt weak and she fell to the ground. No, I don't want to be his burden. Sakura whimpered. She pounded the ground and the ground shook. She hugged herself, calming herself.

She suddenly felt someone's shadow. She looked up and saw Naruto. He looked at her, "Sakura, what are you doing?"

Her tears disappeared when she heard his voice. When did his presence relieve me so much? Sakura looked at the blond and hugged him.

Naruto was surprised by the action and did not know what to do. He enjoyed her embrace and said softly, "Sakura, I'm going to become Hokage."

"I don't want you to go … please stay…" Sakura said.

Naruto looked away, "You have Sasuke." Sakura stopped hugging him and looked at him. Her fists were clenched. Naruto waited for a pound but it never came. Sakura's hair was blocking her face. Naruto could not stand it any longer, "By–" Sakura punched him softly.

"Sasuke can't … replace you." She said still not looking at Naruto.

"You don't need me," Naruto said with that distant look in his face.

Sakura mumbled something that Naruto was unable to understand through her sobs. A part of Naruto wanted to stay to wipe away her tears; another part told him that he would just be in the way.

"I promised you that I would bring Sasuke back, and I have. I have nothing else I owed to you." Naruto said. He could not believe he said that. He had wanted to save Sasuke. A part of it was for Sakura, but most of his attempt was for himself.

Naruto turned and left the sobbing girl. It was the hardest thing Naruto had to ever do. He would rather take a hundred written test then walk away from Sakura.

Sakura slowly lift her head when she heard his departing footsteps. She clenched her fists. "NA-RU-TO," she ran towards the blonde with her fist in the air ready to strike.

Naruto turned and felt impact on his face and sent him flying. "Ah, Sakura," He said rubbing his bruised face. Sakura was near him. "Baka, how could you leave me crying without saying good-bye?" Naruto looked down again.

"Naruto … I want you to stay. Sasuke, you, and me, we're a family with Kakashi-sensei. We can all do missions together again." Sakura said smiling weakly.

Naruto looked at her. "I'll be back in a month, tell Sasuke he better not slack off!" Sakura looked at him. "Naruto …"

"Sakura, I'll come back."

Sakura nodded slowly. She blinked back her tears and forced a smile. "Come back stronger." Naruto waved goodbye.

As he was walked down the path he imagined Sakura walking right beside him. As Sakura turned to return to the village, she imagined Naruto walking right beside her and she thought:

I'll be right here waiting for you.

My first romance fic, I hoped you liked it. I might turn it into a full fledged story if you want.

WARNING:

An OFFICIAL FULL FLEDGED STORY. Stop reading if you believe this is a satisfying ending. Continued story has a completely different ending.

Loves,

iMMATURE