Preface

"It's just three words!"

Jeez, what could I do? It's not like I had an option. It was a do or die situation. Either admit it, or go on the rest of my life wondering what could have been. Or…what would never have been, and just feeble, wishful thinking. What if he didn't love me anymore? What if…he'd moved on? I had no one else…except maybe Lee. But come on, it's Lee. That's almost as bad as going back to Sasuke. I don't think there could be anyone else. How many other guys did I know that made me feel like he does? How many other guys made my heart beat erratically, sweat pour down my face, and probably make all my blood rush up to my face like a huge siren screaming "Look at me"? I doubt anyone…

"You make it sound so easy."

Three words. That was all it took. But did they realize just how difficult those three words were to say? Just looking at his face made words hard to form, even just a simple "Hello" was hard to choke out. Let alone "I love you". When I say it…it just sounds so corny. The only time I'd been able to say that is when Sasuke was leaving…but…I was in distress. How else could I have possibly made him stay? I knew he wouldn't return my affections, but I thought it'd be enough to make him stay, to make him realize he had a life here. Sure…it didn't stop him. It took all of Naruto's strength to bring him back...and it was mostly all for me that he even tried so hard. I'm sure, if I weren't around, that would make his life way easier.

No…that's a lie. Akatsuki was after him, as if that wasn't enough. I can't imagine living Naruto's life. Always having that feeling to make you look behind your back to make sure no one was there waiting to claim your life. But…he acted as if it didn't bother him. He always had that smile…that dazzling, sparkling smile. As if he didn't know anything was wrong, as if nothing were to happen. But…I know it's bothering him deep down. I can always feel that tension inside his body, just sitting there, growing to an immense size. It makes me wonder when he'll blow up finally, and all this anxiety will come pouring out. It's hard to imagine that happy-go-lucky knucklehead so jumpy and tense, as if every second his life could end. Which, in reality, it could. But he chose not to acknowledge that fact, and just go about his life like a normal person.

"It really is. You just have to believe that he still loves you like he always did."

Looking back at my younger years…I can't believe how much of a bitch I really was to him. Always punching him around, never truly understanding what he was going through, what he would be going through, and how I affected the outcome of it all. Sasuke just made the matters worse, to the point where I had to beg Naruto to bring him back. It wasn't until then that I realized just how much he cared about me, how much he knew about me. I think it was then…that I began to feel respect for him. But…it wasn't until three long years later that I realized those feelings of "respect" were feelings of "love". And people always said that he was the dense one. Obviously, they don't know how stupid people are when it comes to love.

"But…if he doesn't…how will I take rejection?"

That was one thing I was scared about. Rejection. How would I take it? I've known for a while that he had a crush on me. But what if that was just it? A crush? Not love, just a childish infatuation; like I had with Sasuke. But, that small voice in the back of my head told me that wasn't true. If it was a crush, he wouldn't be so dedicated to help me. If it was a crush, he wouldn't be protecting me and saving me, endangering his own life my saving mine. He wouldn't of been so…determined to retrieve Sasuke. And, he would've given up his promise of a lifetime; getting Sasuke back. All for me. Did I deserve his kindness? Did I deserve his love and dedication? After I threw aside his feelings numerous times, and always insulted him and praised Sasuke, did I deserve him?

"Would he reject you?"

Even through all that thought, that little shining spark of doubt flickered on and off inside my heart. He always wanted to please me, make me happy. Even now. Wouldn't that make him still love me? But…as the years dragged on, what if he'd moved on? What if he finally gave Hinata a chance, and they hit it off? There are so many "what if" statements, I'm not sure what to believe. What if he didn't, but what if he did? What if he has, what if he hasn't? All these questions, but there are no answers. I'd have to find those on my own. But…was I brave enough to find them out? It was no use to pluck flower pedals-I didn't believe in that. Each time would be a different result, no accurate conclusion. It was something you did for a crush—and this definitely wasn't a crush.

"…I...wouldn't know."

That was the truth. I didn't know. I wouldn't know. I'd never know, until I asked. As my sensei said—the only way to get answers is to look for them yourself. Sure…but that was school. This is life. All that school stuff, supposedly was to help you prepare for your life. Yeah, what a load of shit that was. What has anything in school done to help me prepare for this? Is there even anything that would help me to prepare for this? Love was something unexplainable—it just happened. And the crappiest thing is, you can't stop it. So…that's why I went to her for help. She had the same issue, and knew how to deal with it. But...she never gave it a chance. She could have been with him. She would be with him, if not for he died in battle. She lost her chance. Of course…for someone who acted like she does, who would've known that she'd been dealing with love for years? So…now I'm just sitting here, staring at the book lying on my table. But…I couldn't open it. What if her techniques wouldn't work for me? What if this was just a helpless dream? I had to suck my breath in the pick up the leather book, and it shook in my hands as they trembled uncontrollably. It was this…or nothing. With a shaky breath, I opened the fragile book to the first page.

"If you can't summon up the courage to confront him, then I'll give this to you." She handed me an old book, it looked like it came from centuries ago. Of course, I wasn't surprised. She wasn't exactly young herself.

"What is it?" I asked her, staring at the leather binding in wonder.

"It's my book. It'll help to give you confidence. Most of these should work for you. And if they don't, then you did something wrong." She replied, and stared at me intently.

"But what if it doesn't? And I do nothing wrong?"

"I gave it to one of my other friends. It worked for them." she told me. Suddenly, her gaze softened. "Now go home and read it, Sakura."

"Uh…sure…" I mumbled, still staring at the book. How did it stay intact? It was so…old. So…gentle. And yet…it was so kind. I'd take care of this book, and keep it safe. Who knows what would be in it? This book…it would probably save my life…

My fingers traced the ends of the page, prepared to turn as I read in my head. But, as soon as I got past the dedications, my breath hitched. I realized what this was now. It wasn't a book, it was a guide. A guide to help me tell Naruto my feelings. Was this the only way out? The words blurred, and they kept repeating themselves inside of my head.

101 Ways to Say "I Love You"…

(THE FOLLOWING WOULD BE AT THE TOP IF NOT FOR FF BEING A BITCH AND NOT LETTING ME PUT THE LITTLE LINE ON THE TOP)

Okay, It's back up now. I really like the plotline I plan on going with this now. I hope you enjoy the new and revised version. And I WILL still be going to 101 Chapters. It just won't be like those Way #1, Way #2 shit anymore. Now, it's a real story with a real plotline. I know this isn't all that long, but hey, it's a prologue. So, sorry I took it down, but I hope you all like the new version!

DISCLAIMER: ...no...I do not own Naruto...I'm only using them for my own evil desires.

So, judging by how it's going, how is it? Is it good, bad? Did you like the old version better? Is the preface good? TELL ME! I want to get all my readers back!!

Kudos to Black Ice and Blood Rain for the idea of those side conversations! I can see how they're a really good writing technique!

Please review!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san