Can't Let Go Part 1 Inner Feelings
Summary: Naruto finally realizes that Sakura will never return his feelings so he tries to move on. Sakura notices the change and realizes that maybe she's starting to fall for him, during a mission to Sunagakure Naruto and Temari get close which Sakura doesn't like. Can she show him how she now feels?
A/N: This story is an AU story, of course, there will be some canon moments of course. the pairings of this story are NaruSaku, NaruTema, NaruSakuTema there will be some angst because I just love angst there will be some Sakura bashing at first and Sasgay bashing because quite simply I don't like Sasgay at all plus I hate the pairing SasuSaku. If you don't like the story press back it's that simple if you do then enjoy. I will also be changing what he looks like because seriously Orange I think not.
Kyuubi Talking
'Naruto Talking to Kyuubi/Sakura Talking to Inner Self'
'Inner Thoughts'
Inner Sakura
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just this story
Naruto's POV
Ever since the academy Naruto has had a crush on Sakura Haruno. To him she was a perfect, smart and beautiful. The only problem was that for the most part she always ignored him. If she didn't she was always shouting at him or attacking him for getting in the way of her and her precious Sasuke-kun. BAH.
Sure Sasuke was kinda like a brother to Naruto but that didn't stop the jealously from constantly growing inside Naruto. Wishing that Sakura showed him the affection she shows towards her precious Sasuke-kun.
Everyone it seemed knew other than Sakura herself and maybe some others that Naruto was head over heels for the pink haired Kunoichi. Sakura was oblivious to it and a bit like Naruto was in regards to another Kunoichi named Hinata Hyūga.
Everything changed though when Sasuke abandoned Konoha and joined Orochimaru to gain strength so he could kill his own brother Itachi Uchiha. Sakura almost went with Sasuke willing to become a missing nin to be with Sasuke.
Of course, that didn't happen instead she begged Naruto to bring him back. The first time he failed and almost died. That ended badly also because Sakura took it the wrong way, instead of any recognition of what happened, she hated him for defending himself and hurting her precious Sasuke-kun.
It was during this time that Naruto started to doubt himself and wondering if Sakura was even worth it anymore. Thankfully along came Jiraiya who took Naruto for a two and half year training trip.
For Naruto, it was a godsend, because not only could he become a better Shinobi but he wouldn't have to think of Sakura. He still intended to bring back Sasuke that is if he ever could.
During the two and a half years Naruto became stronger learning many Jutsu's and even learning Sage Mode which was no easy task. In the time away Naruto barely thought of Sakura he had better things to think about like getting stronger.
Sakura's POV
In Konoha Sakura had also changed. Tsunade took Sakura on as her apprentice. Sakura didn't know but Naruto had asked her to. Tsunade was unwilling at first knowing just how badly Sakura treated Naruto who was like a son to her, but eventually, she caved in and took her on as an apprentice but only after Sakura asked personally.
She started becoming much stronger while taking her job very seriously and with Sasuke, turning traitor and Naruto on a training trip Sakura had really changed.
Something else changed for Sakura with Sasuke gone and Naruto on his training trip she seemed so alone, although Naruto could be annoying he wasn't such a bad guy he could be nice sometimes well most of the time but she wasn't really a good friend well not as she could have been.
When Sakura heard that Naruto had gone on a training trip with someone called Jiraiya she took it hard when she found out he had left without him even telling her he was leaving, in a way she can hardly blame him though especially after there last meeting which was after the failed retrieval mission, she really layed into Naruto and she really shouldn't have he tried his best and all she did was belittle him telling him he was so useless, sometimes she really hates herself for what she said to him he never deserved it.
During the two and a half years Sakura became a great Medic-nin and also becamer really strong thanks to her Sensei, Tsunade. A part of her was always sad that Sasuke and Naruto were the powerhouses of team 7, sometimes it made her wonder just what she brought to the team.
Of course, Sasuke was always on her mind back then but she also realized that Naruto was not the dead last goof everyone thought he was, Surely it wasn't all just an act, was it?
Naruto was sometimes an enigma to her, yes he was always happy but thinking on it now she sometimes suspected he was hiding his feelings under a mask. She, of course, heard villager's bad mouthing Naruto calling him a demon but she never knew why, why did they treat Naruto so badly surely it wasn't because of his pranks.
Then when he left on his training trip and the villagers were happy. Sometimes it made her mad that her friend if she could really call him that, was hated so much and not knowing the reason why always annoyed her.
A major change is she along with every other member of the Konoha 11 become Chūnin. She was happy when she finally became a Chūnin just like the rest of her classmates and friends. She had finally become strong, but even then she wondered how Naruto would take it. Being the only Genin left besides Sasuke would surely wound his pride. She had even started to miss her loud mouth teammate.
She knew that her friends also missed Naruto and of course The Ichiraku's did he was there best customer after all.
Then there was Konohamaru she saw him often at first he was a bit edgy around her not that she knew why but over time he changed and they occasionally bumped into each other not that they really spoke much but they both missed Naruto for different reasons of course.
One of the biggest changes Sakura went through was her feelings regarding Sasuke no matter how many times she tried to do things with him he blew her off often calling her weak and annoying and that made her think what does she really feel about Sasuke was it just a crush or something else she doesn't know.
Naruto's POV
Naruto missed his friends back home well most of them at least. Jiraiya kept in contact with the news from Konoha and Naruto was happy mostly but when the subject of Sakura came out he didn't care he had no interest in hearing about her at all after a while Jiraiya stopped mentioning her as she was something he obviously didn't want to talk about.
Jiraiya was sad about that because Tsunade told him often that Sakura asked about Naruto but Jiraiya told Tsunade not to tell her anything. Of course, Tsunade hated lying to her apprentice but she did it. Every day Sakura would leave sad.
Tsunade told Jiraiya about this but couldn't do anything about it if Naruto didn't want to know then what could they do, they just hoped it would blow over by the time they returned.
During the trip Naruto and Jiraiya met Itachi and Kisame again they actually managed to catch Naruto by himself whilst Jiraiya was off on one of his research trips luckily Gamakichi informed Jiraiya who was able to arrive and save Naruto and Itachi and Kisame had to retreat.
That was the only time they tried anything luckily for Naruto. That was what actually got Jiraiya to teach Naruto Sage mode but it was worth it.
Two And Half Years Later
Naruto and Jiraiya are approaching the main gates to Konoha there both laughing and chatting. Naruto's glad to be back. Izumo and Kotetsu see Jiraiya at the gate alongside what they think is the ghost of The Fourth Hokage which in actual fact it's his son Naruto Uzumaki. Although it's hard to tell he's not wearing Orange at all.
He's now wearing Black ANBU pants with a Black T-Shirt with The Leaf Symbol on the front and it really shows off his muscled chest he also has a black trench coat with black fingerless gloves lastly he has a large broadsword strapped to his back.
To Naruto in his own words makes him look badass and scary although it didn't seem to work on the ladies.
Jiraiya actually loved and hated the new look because the girls all ignored him and fawned over Naruto. Not that he really wanted the attention or did anything about it. Which brings us back to the present Kotetsu looks up "Welcome back Jiraiya who's that with you, he seems familiar somehow."
Naruto grins "Have I really been gone that long? Maybe I should paint the Hokage Monument again."
Kotetsu and Izumo are stunned they look at Naruto's new look then Kotetsu speaks "Naruto is that you."
Naruto grins "In the flesh how you guys doing."
Izumo grins "We're good, like the look by the way."
Jiraiya mumbles something that nobody hears but Naruto laughs "Tell me about it the girls love the look, don't they Ero-Sennin?"
Jiraiya grunts "How many times have I told you to stop calling me that."
Naruto grins "You know what I'm going to say so why bother."
Izumo and Kotetsu share a laugh whilst Jiraiya just grunts talking about ungrateful runts. They finally continue walking inside. Naruto looks around and then runs off to tell everyone he's back. Jiraiya just grins and follows slowly.
Meanwhile, Sakura is heading towards the gate to give them reports when she bumps into the Konohamaru crew. Konohamaru grins "What you up to Sakura-chan?"
She smiles "Just heading to give some reports to the gate guards what about you?"
Konohamaru grins "Waiting for the boss to return it's been two and a half year's right."
Sakura smiles "Now that I think about it, your right."
They walk to the gate Sakura passes the files to Kotetsu who grins "Hey Sakura, Konohamaru have you seen him yet."
Konohamaru is confused "Seen who."
Izumo grins "Why Naruto of course."
Konohamaru grins "Boss is back."
Kotetsu nods "Yes you just missed him."
Sakura, Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon start looking for Naruto. Whilst there looking Sakura sees him on top of a lamp post but he looks so different.
She's stunned 'He actually looks kind of hot wearing that she mentally slaps herself did I just think that about Naruto?'
Sakura's Inner Self shouts Oh hell yea! He looks hot hubba hubba.
Sakura just groans 'Shut up.'
Konohamaru grins "Hey Boss."
Naruto is looking around when he hears a familiar voice so he looks down at first he lays eyes on Konohamaru with his two friends Moegi and Udon he then looks to the right and sees Sakura 'Great why does she have to be here.' He jumps down and stands up "Hey Konohamaru long time no see."
Konohamaru grins "Hell yea, man you look badass dammit now I'm gonna have to get a look like that, hey check this out, boss."
Konohamaru grins then he does his own Sexy Jutsu. Naruto smirks "Not bad kid I'd show you mine but I've outgrown that sort of thing."
Sakura looks at him 'Has he really grown more mature?'
Konohamaru grins "Oh come on boss, show me."
Naruto still hasn't looked at Sakura yet he's only focused on Konohamaru "Maybe another time. So how's Ebisu still a closet pervert."
Konohamaru grins "Hell yea."
Naruto grins "Figures, wow you've really gotten taller wow, is that Moegi and Udon hey, guys."
Udon grins "Hey boss."
Moegi blushes "Hey boss."
Naruto nods then Sakura decides to speak, actually surprised he's not even spoken to her yet "Hey Naruto welcome back."
Naruto nods "Sakura."
Sakura is shocked 'He didn't call me Sakura-Chan and he seems angry did I do something wrong?'
Naruto turns away from her "I'll see you later Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon."
He jumps onto a roof and jumps away. Leaving a shocked Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon and Sakura. Konohamaru looks at Sakura who looks sad. 'What's up with the boss he seemed angry at Sakura he didn't even call her Sakura-Chan and he never even said goodbye to her.'
Sakura is also shocked 'What was that he seemed so angry with me I don't understand did I do something wrong could he still be angry with me about Sasuke.'
Jiraiya heard the whole thing and sighs 'It seems he really has moved on from her but to act like that.' He watches as Konohamaru and his little crew leave and he smiles. He then looks at Sakura who looks sad; she turns around and heads home.
(ANJ)(So What Do You Think?)