Nobody knows it but me
On a cold and windy night in konoha Naruto Uzumaki's life is change forever
The piercing red flash of three o'clock flashed ever so eerily in the small apartment of Uzumaki Naruto. In one night's time Naruto had effectively lost the most important person in his life. He had just received news from Pa, the toad Elder that his father figure and mentor Jiriya had been slain by the hands of Akatsuki member pain. While the shock of this melodrama hit his ears he was blindsided by another turn of events. His second best friend and girl that his unrequited love had never quite reached had decided to give up on their pursuit of sasuke. They were so close to reuniting with Sasuke and he couldn't understand why she wanted to break up an effort that three years of blood sweat and tears had culminated into. Although the reasons to keep together the decrepit team seven rang clearly in Naruto's mind, they were not so translucent with Sakura.
" Naruto you know that I said that we would get strong enough to bring Sasuke back together, but I don't want to risk your safety any longer." The Girl said with a certain gaze that revealed tempered resolve. " I've seen you fight Orochimaru and I saw you revert to that, that… Thing. After that battle you began to dive deeper into the battle against Akatsuki, and with the recent deaths of Asuma-sensei and now Jiriya, I just… I don't want to have to attend your funeral, too Naruto!" but the boy's resolve as she knew, was strong in its own right. " Sakura-Chan, I made a promise to you that I would bring Sasuke back, and I told you that it is the promise of a lifetime. I meant that and that means I'll bring sasuke back to you even if I die during the process!" Naruto said with certain gusto that he had reserved for moments like this. Sakura expected that he would respond in such a way and yet it surprised her.
'Why doesn't he see that I'm really worried about him, If something happened to Naruto I couldn't live with myself. Why doesn't he see it.' Sakura thought with truest earnest.
Her recent ordeals with the blonde Shinobi had made her realize what he was really worth to her. From the moment that that she saw those icy blue eyes again she had been subjected to a new point of view, He had clearly matured and he was quite handsome but in many aspects he remained the same boy she knew from her academy days. He was always willing to help people, including people who were once his enemy and he had wisdom that most people didn't attain until they were old. Why did she so boorishly overlook the boy who has been attracted to her for so long?
" Naruto, I think I finally realize something. Sasuke won't ever be satisfied. He beat itachi and he avenged his clan, but he still hasn't come back. We can't change who he is and even though we love him I can't allow myself to put you in jeopardy for someone like him." Sakura spoke as tears began to break the levees of her heart. " I finally get what I've been feeling. I can finally put it to words. Naruto I think I've/ " I understand that you've grown tired of waiting so I'll finish this, Now! Naruto was now surrounded by kyuubi chakra, the same chakra that has propelled the boy to move forward. " Naruto what do you expect to do? I won't lose the both of you! I'm stronger then when Sasuke left! I'll stop you if I have to, Naruto! We don't need to go after Sasuke anymore!" She had a bad feeling about the man with the orange mask that took sasuke. Although Akatsuki has been severely weakened with the death of Itachi she still didn't trust the man in the orange mask. " Sakura, I know that you worry about me but I still have to keep my promise." He said while embracing her " Soon you'll be able to hold Sasuke in your arms and we'll be a team again."
While she disagreed whole-heartedly with his statements due to her realizations She could only nod in the arms of the shinobi who had become her most important person. ' I think that I might have fallen for you baka if only you could see it.' She thought with scornful irony. ' If only you could see'
After the pain and the tears Naruto carried a sleeping Sakura home. Was he in denial? She was giving up on sasuke for HIM? She feared for his safety? He didn't understand why the pink haired konoichi was worried but he couldn't give up. After shocking Mrs. Haruno with a shadow clone carrying Sakura, Naruto slowly walked to his home to prepare for his departure to the village hidden in the rain…
Author's notes
Well, folks this is the first chapter. I plan to expand on Sakura's budding feelings and Naruto's confusion. This story will get really action oriented during the next chapter. I will try to include other popular pairings like TemariXShikamaru or NejiXTenten. Please review and add feedback even if you flame me, I'm not a whiny Baka, and so I won't care. Peace and love,
Asuka Kallen Soryu