"I stood there waiting, waiting for an eternity that wouldn't come. But still, I waited because to me, this was the most important thing in the world, because to me, he was the most important thing in the world."
I DON"T OWN NARUTO!!!! ^_^ Please note later on, there might be some people who are already deceased.
Chapter One:
Sakura stood at the gates of Konoha. It was a pleasant morning today, that is, July 12th. The wind was warm and refreshing and the sky was clear—not a cloud in the sky. It surely was a perfect day. Sakura absorbed all this in and continued to gaze further down the road, as if waiting for something to happen. However as the minutes passed on, she turned around and headed back into her village. Today was almost two weeks before Sasuke's birthday and though she knew too well that Sasuke was not returning home, she couldn't help but stand there, hoping for the impossible—that Sasuke would comeback.
"Hello Sakura!" Naruto yelled as he landed roughly in front of her.
"Er…Naruto, were you spying on me again?" Sakura asked a bit colder than she expected. Naruto blinked and smiled, "Ha, ha, Sakura, you must take me for a fool, I would never do that." Nervously, pretending to scratch his head.
'What a phony.' Sakura thought. It was clear that Naruto indeed was spying on her; he did tend to do that often these days. Maybe because Sakura hadn't been so happy these last few months. Sure, Sasuke had become a major factor for her unhappiness, but recently her mother had died suddenly after an unknown illness. No one had ever seen the likes of this illness before, so even Tsunade couldn't do anything about it. Sakura still had a fresh memory when she was waiting there in the waiting room…
The light indicator above went off, meaning that Tsunade was coming out soon. Sakura fidgeted nervously as she and her father sat waiting desperately for the results. Her mother had been sick for twenty-four hours and starting having severe symptoms already. Coughing, dizziness, nervousness, pain walking or moving to be of that matter. It was frightening even for Sakura, who was a seven-year medical ninja. Tsunade closed the door behind her and Sakura gazed up. And then, she knew. The look of Tsunade's face was somber and full of pity. Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes, her mother was dead, and that was the end. She would never see her mother again. Sakura's father got up.
"What is it hokage? Is she going to be all right?" His voice was anxious and filled with fear. Tsunade said nothing and closed her eyes.
"Mr. Haruno—" She began and then stopped as she gazed down at Sakura, who was silently sobbing in her arms. Sakura's dad, Fuji walked over to Sakura.
"Why are you crying for Sakura? You're mother is fine! She's fine! She's going to come home again, and then we can all return to normal. We can go have ramen, we can go…go…" His voice cracked and fell silent. "I don't know why, these tears keep falling." He managed to say.
"Fuji," Tsunade began, "I know this is really hard for you, but…I tried, I did all I could do. There just was no cure. I never have seen anything like it before. I'm so sorry." Fuji, who was bent down, stood up and stared as Tsunade.
"Don't lie to me! She's not dead! She's not dead! Let me see her!" He bellowed and tried to charge past Tsunade, who grabbed the scuff of his collar. "Let me go! I want to see her!" He exclaimed as he tried to break free.
"Mr. Haruno, please." Tsunade said softly and turned to face him, her eyes were so sad. "Your daughter needs you." and then she let go. Her shoes echoed as she left the building leaving Sakura and Fuji alone.
"Hey Sakura, do you want to go eat ramen?" Naruto asked her. She looked back to him and saw concern on his face.
"Uh…no…I'm fine…" She answered. Naruto frowned and walked closer to her. Sadness filled his eyes and he stared into hers. He lifted his finger and caught her tear before it fell. Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"It's okay." Naruto said softly. "Sometimes it's okay to cry"
"No…Naruto, I'm sorry it's just—" She began, but couldn't finish. He was right. She had to let the pain out. She cried and cried hard. She couldn't remember really what happened afterwards, but she did remember something, that Naruto stayed with her until the very end.
-
Sakura hesitantly opened her eyes. She was in her room and it was nighttime. The moon's light streaked through the window and a light wind rustled a few leaves on the ground. Getting up slowly, she tried to remember what had happened. Had she cried that much, a whole day? She walked to her window, 'It's a beautiful night.' She thought letting the cool breeze refresh her. She stared blankly into the night. How long had it been since Sasuke left? How had life changed since he left? She was eighteen now—Sasuke was gone for at least six years, but not a day has gone by when she hadn't thought of him. How was he doing now? Did he even remember her? Did he find someone that he could love with his whole heart?
"Heh, Sakura, you shouldn't think of those things, you know." She talked to herself. "He probably found someone, it's you fool how needs to grow up." Her eyes fell slightly—yes, she still loved Sasuke. 'Maybe I should go for a walk.' She thought. It wasn't such a bad idea; surely everyone was in bed by now. Quickly and quietly she slipped on her shoes and opened the door to her bedroom. A hand lay on the floor. Sakura almost let a scream out, but she thought better of it. Following the hand, she realized it was Naruto, asleep. It seemed that he wanted to stay with her the whole time.
"Naruto…" She said softly and bent down. Sleeping now, she noticed that Naruto had grown into a handsome man. His yellow hair, and pretty blue eyes. And when he was sleeping, he looked…so at peace from when he was awake. Unconsciously, she lifted her hand to stoke his cheek, but then realizing it, she pulled her hand back. What was she doing? 'Get a grip, Sakura!' She thought. 'Don't you have enough on your mind right now?' The voice echoed in her mind. Yes, it was true. She was in mourning for her mother, she was waiting for Sasuke and she had a broken relationship with her father. But above all these things, she was lonely. On her knees, she balanced herself and then she moved closer to look at Naruto's face. So smooth and beautiful, why had she realized that just now?
She breathed in, calming herself and then looked again at Naruto's face. 'Just do it.' The voice said. 'He'll never know it's you, he's fast asleep.' Closing her eyes she leaned in a kissed him. How warm his lips were against hers as his breath blow down her face. She wanted this moment to last forever—she didn't want to be alone anymore. She wanted to be loved, by someone, anyone. And suddenly hands grabbed her arms and Sakura pulled back. She looked at Naruto and he stared back, surprise was in his eyes. She looked away, feeling guilty. Deep down she knew Naruto only as a friend and nothing more. She didn't want that relationship to change, but still, that kiss made her feel better.
"S—Sakura." He whispered and she was forced to look back. What could she say? "Why did—" Naruto began and Sakura placed her fingers on his lips.
"I'm sorry Naruto," She whispered back. The last thing she wanted was her father to wake up. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that, it just happened." She managed to say. It hurt her to say this, she wanted that warm feeling on her lips, but she only loved Sasuke and only Sasuke will do. She glanced as Naruto, who was still holding her arms. He looked speechless. What had she done?
"Listen, I'm sorry, maybe you should go." She began to get up, but was suddenly pulled towards Naruto and kissed her back. Sakura didn't know what to do. Naruto was so warm, but Sasuke…Sasuke. Regretting this, she kissed him back. Warm hands comforted her kisses as she did the same. Naruto. That was the only thing she could think of. It seemed to last forever, but finally Sakura let go and sat back.
"Naruto." She said, pondering if she could continue. "I feel so alone." She whispered. Naruto, stroking her hair, looked at her as if he understood her pain.
"I know." He whispered back and he placed his arm around her. "But I'm with you." He added. She leaned back on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I know." She said faintly. They stayed like that for a long time. Naruto was in no hurry and Sakura had time to kill. Arms gently around her, Naruto waited until Sakura was fully asleep, then silently he carried her back into her bed and covered her with her blanket. He was about to turn, but then bent down and watched Sakura continue to sleep.
"Sakura," He said in barely a whisper. "I'm sorry." And with that, he got up and left her room. Leaving her alone again.
-
The dream came again. Recently, she's been having dreams with Sasuke in them. She, the present Sakura was standing watching herself and younger Sasuke talk one final time.
"Sasuke no! Can't you see I'm in love with you! Please, take me with you too!" She cried out, but only the cold wind replied.
"You're annoying." He replied, turning around, grinning.
'Oh, Sasuke.' The present Sakura thought, painfully watching the scene again. And then Sasuke turned, to leave Konaha and to leave her for good. Sakura, closed her eyes again, she knew this off by heart. The younger Sakura, who had tears in her eyes, was about to run.
"NO! Sasuke!" Sakura yelled. And then stopped. Sasuke was nowhere in view.
"Sakura…" Sasuke said behind her. "Thank-you." And then her knocked her out. Slowly her vision began to fade and she was swallowed up by blackness.
This was how the dream ended all the time. She never saw how Sasuke left the village. She'll never know if he looked back, but then, back then, he didn't have any feelings for her. 'Maybe time will change that' Sakura thought, letting this precious memory float in her head.
-
So after that night, Sakura and Naruto were officially dating. It was nice, really because Naruto was so nice to her. Sakura realized that she really liked Naruto too. And so after a weeks time, they were love struck lovebirds. They spent every time they had together and their friends were happy for them, Except Hinata, how appeared saddened by the information. However, she didn't say anything and smiled when she saw Sakura or Naruto. Sakura remembered one time when she was passing a ramen shop and heard Hinata and Kiba talking.
"…I mean if you really like him, Hinata, you should have done something. I'm sure you might have had a chance. But now, don't you really regret it?" Kiba asked.
"Y-yes, I suppose…but, K-Kiba, I really feel happy for Sakura too. I mean, s-she was suffering for so long, I'm just happy for her." Hinata replied in her nervous way.
"Heh, Hinata, you're so soft. If you keep doing that, you might remain single for the rest of you life." Kiba joked. Hinata probably went red from the pause that took place.
"K-Kiba, that's not something to joke about!" Hinata said back. "You're single too." she pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess," Kiba, said, sipping his ramen and then looked up. "But, if I ask you out, then I wouldn't, right." He added wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Akamaru barked in agreement. Hinata remained silent.
"Well, what do you say?" Kiba asked again.
"K-Kiba, that's not a very nice way of asking someone out." Hinata said quietly.
"Fine," Kiba got off his chair and bent down on his knees. He reached out for Hinata's hand and said. "Hinata, will you please go out with me?"
"W-well I w-wasn't really serious!" Hinata began.
"C'mon, please, we're on the same squad and everything! I know more about you than Naruto could ever know. To be frank with you, I really liked you for a while now!"
Silence. Sakura leaned closer to hear the conversation.
"O-okay, Kiba." Was Hinata's reply and that was the beginning of another relationship.
-
Sakura was humming to herself in her bedroom as she took off her headband and placed it on her drawer. It was 11:00pm on the 23rd of July and she was exhausted as her team and herself finished another B-rank mission. They had been gone for at least a week, but they had succeeded in transporting the feudal king to his destination spot. Indeed there was conflict from bandits and ninjas alike, but they were successful. Sighing, Sakura plotted down on her bed. Perhaps that's when she realized something was wrong. The bed was warm, as if someone had been there a few minutes previously. No, that couldn't have been it, Sakura had to unlock the door to her house to get in. But then…
She got up and made her way to her father's room. She turned the knob, it was locked, no surprise there. Her father had gone away on a vacation since the death of her mother. It had mortified him, even more than Sakura, and he left, locking his bedroom door, not to mention his heart. Then who could have been there? She thought quickly of all the people she knew and none of them would have been able to.
"Sakura." A voice called out behind her. She froze of almost a heart attack. The voice was sharp and deep, but it wasn't that that kept her silent and it wasn't the fact that she knew it was neither of her friends. It was because she knew whom the voice belonged to. She didn't have to turn around and see the face to know, but she did nonetheless, because she wanted to see it. She wanted to see the face she had missed for so long and indeed she was right. It was the voice of Sasuke Uchiha.
Well, that's it for now. I don't know how I did, so please leave a review, it's my first romance see. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it! Once again, I'll try to update as soon as possible, but then again, that always turns out into months.
Itachianimefan~