I don't own anything, ever. sobs

Now was not the time for me to say anything. Something was always happening in Konoha. So I learned to just keep my feelings buried deep within my heart. I was so proud to be one of Naruto's close friends. Yet as I began to admire him for his ninja abilities and how driven he was, I couldn't help myself.

At first, I tried to ignore it. Ignore how my heart would start to flutter when I glanced at him. Ignore how my hands got clammy when he was close to me. But as each passing day went on, it became harder and harder to over look and disregard these feelings. Soon it became something more. I wanted to help him. I wanted to show him that his achievements were important to me. I thought even though they were small actions that would be forgotten, would somehow make a difference now. I knew I loved him.

This wasn't something stupid like my childhood crushes. This was real. I didn't like him because he was cool, or that he had cool hair, or was mysterious. I loved him for the fact he was more than he seemed, the fact he was flawed, and because he was one of the most loyal people I knew. And I respected that, because I am also a loyal person. He was also one of the most dedicated people I know. I mean, he is still on his quest to return Sasuke to the village. And I believe Naruto when he says he will bring Sasuke back. How could I not? Back when we were mere children, Naruto made me the promise to bring Sasuke back. And even though he failed, he will keep on trying. Its not even about the stupid promise anymore, it's just that Naruto needs a goal he can follow though with. And that's what I love about him, he will never give up.

But I had to keep this in. This wasn't the time to start making goo-goo eyes at Naruto. This was the time to be the supportive character I have always been in his life. I had to be there for him when he needed a friend. I was to cheer him on quietly as he trained. But one day, when the timing was right, I will tell him how much he means to me. One day I will give him my first kiss. And he will look down at me with his blue eyes and smile to me and shyly say, "Sakura-chan."

I knew it was stupid of me to think of these things while life was in fast forward as our village was under threat. But hey, I am a 17 year old girl, some things can't be helped. Everyone knows deep down I'm a hopeless romantic. Things won't always be like this. Things won't always be under a threat by some ominous enemy with the goal to bring down the hidden village. I am such an optimist.

And the thought of that was what kept me going on when times were hard and seemed hopeless. One day there will be peace and we ninjas can find some normalcy in our everyday lives. And in that time, I could find happiness with the man I loved with all my heart.

I opened my eyes. The sun poured over my bed across my body. There was a white dove sitting on my balcony rail. I sat up and it fluttered away. The symbolism hit me in the face like a sack of bricks, "Peace flees". I did the mundane morning thing that involved a shower, some food, a few sniffles and yawns, brushing of varies things, throwing on a black skirt, a white tee shirt and a red vest, and applying minimal make up. I was ready in less than 45 minutes.

I stepped out of the front door of my apartment and greeted the new day. I yawned one more time, and set out to the hospital to do my duty to the village. It's a 20 minute walk from my apartment to the hospital, and I wasn't due to work for another hour. I had time to kill, so I would beat it to a bloody pulp.

Lee, an old friend, was in the hospital for the time being from sustaining injuries from his last mission. So I decided it was a good idea to grab him something on my way there. I knew Lee was always fond of me since we first met, and I liked Lee and all, its just he was so plain weird with his speech and eyebrows. But he was probably more dedicated to me than anyone else was thus far, except maybe… No no, I won't think about this… so I owed it to him to cut him some slack and be nice.

I stopped by the market and picked up a few pears for him. Hinata was there, which was awkward. I mean, I always liked Hinata; she was a really sweet girl. But yeah, I knew how she felt about Naruto. I knew she liked him, fuck, maybe she even loved him. I also knew that her feelings for Naruto were just a surface crush, and that I truly did love Naruto. But hey, like I've said, I'm a teenage girl, I can't help how I think and feel all the time.

She smiled at me. I smiled back and waved. I felt dread in the pit of my stomach as she took a few steps towards me.

"Good morning, S-Sakura-chan!"

"Hello Hinata," I smiled, my eyebrow twitched slightly.

"Buying p-pears for someone s-s-special?" she asked me, while twirling a strand of thin blue-black hair.

"Yeah, I mean no! No, just going to visit Lee for awhile before I start my shift at the hospital," I stammered, I hadn't expected her to ask that! Did she always have to stammer?

"Oh, that's so s-sweet of you Sakura. You are such a g-good friend…"she said.

"Thanks. Well I should go now. We should have a girls' night one day, you know, with Ino and TenTen. Well, like when everyone is here," I smiled again, twitch.

"Yeah, I n-need to spend more t-time with girls. I am getting p-pretty annoyed with Kiba and Shino lately."

"At least you have team members you can see on a daily basis," I said, sounding less bitter than I actually am.

"Ahh, I-I am sorry, Sakura-chan! Here I am c-complaining about h-how I get annoyed with my team mates, and here y-you are while your teammates are off d-doing their own thing…"she sounded genuinely sad for me, but then again I sounded genuine when I didn't mean it all the time.

"I really have to be going now," I said as I took a few long strides away. "It was nice seeing you Hinata, give me a call sometime!"

"Bye," she called after me.

I walked on to the hospital. As soon as I got there I said hello to a few nurses and went straight to Lee's room. He was pretty bruised and cut up, but nothing too serious. He would be out in a few days. He was awake when I walked up to his bed. He sat up immediately.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" he said a little loud, and by a little loud I mean he was basically yelling.

"Lee," I said calmly and handed him the pears I had got him with a smile. "Want breakfast?"

"You are so very thoughtful Sakura-chan!" he said as he took the pears into his lap.

"Thanks Lee," I smiled. "So what happened to you?"

"It is not something I speak about with girls Sakura!" Lee said while his mouth was full of pear.

"Haha, okay Lee," hey, if he didn't want to talk about it, I didn't want to hear about it.

"But there is something I would like to talk to you about, Sakura-chan," Lee said seriously.

He looked way too deeply into my eyes as he said that. It was kind of eerie the way he looked that far into me. I didn't know how to react at all. I didn't want to be rude, but I wasn't that into having to turn him down again.

"Okay, what is it Lee?" I asked as I sat down in the chair next to his bed.

"Sakura-chan, while I was on my mission, I did a lot of thinking about you and me."

"Uhh, okay?"

"Sakura-chan, I know I have asked you on many dates and you have always found a way to get out of them. But it would make me so very happy to just have one date with you," he made a puppy face at me.

"Lee, you know I respect you as a person and all, it's just…I-I…," hmm maybe Hinata was on to something with this stammering. "I am in love with someone."

"I understand Sakura-chan. Who is it? I shall challenge him to a duel to try to win your heart."

"Lee that wouldn't make me love you," I said slowly.

"I understand Sakura-chan! I will no longer annoy you with these stupid feelings I have."

"Aww, Lee, don't be like this. How about I take YOU out on a date just so you can say we went on one date? But it's not really a date, it's more like just a chance for us to catch up so you can let go." I said, he looked so pathetic I couldn't help myself.

"SAKURA-CHAN" Lee cried, and then started to weep. "YOU TRULY ARE THE BEST WOMAN I KNOW!"

"Uhh, thanks Lee," I said and awkwardly patted his back. "When do you get out of here?

"Tomorrow," he said as he wiped his tears.

"Okay, I get off at 5. I'll meet you at 6 in front of your apartment." I said as I stood up and walked out of the room.

"Bye Sakura-chan!"

"Bye Lee."

Okay, I know, kinda bad. Be nice though, this is like my first fanfiction ever! O any tips tell me. Don't flame! I'm not ready for those yet!