Disclaimer: Naruto is not my creation.
Summary outline- Sakura and Naruto's blossoming relationship is put on hold when Sakura becomes obsessed with thoughts of what Sasuke and her could have had. When Itachi is captured and in reach, will Sakura take this chance to substitute Sasuke, or will Kakashi intervene and put her in her place..?
Inseparable Companion
Chapter 1:
Konoha was dim in the early hours of dusk and the streets scarce of people. All Ninja showed up, dressed in black, the mood solemn to honour the late Uchiha Sasuke. A traitor, who had chosen to go down a dark road of revenge and abandonment,
A warm hand came down to rest gently on Sakura's shoulder. The contact from another human being brought her back to earth. Sakura bowed her head to hide the tears that were pushing out from her clenched eyelids.
Sakura had forgiven Sasuke long ago and managed to tame her overbearing crush and romantic notions of being noticed. Growing with Team 7 had opened her eyes to the important bonds she had made. Her desire to have Sasuke back for selfish reasons had mellowed to a respectable team desire to retrieve their important friend.
Now standing in the melancholy atmosphere Naruto stood close. His face strong with emotion. He had been the closest to Sasuke, and during the moments before his death Naruto fought passionately to prevent it. His best friend, whom he never gave up on, had perished. Naruto had screamed at Sasuke to wake until he passed out from lack of blood. Sakura's grief overwhelmed her also and she wept uselessly until backup had arrived. The scene Anbu had come across showed a now distorted landscape of turned over trees, shattered rock cliffs and fallen ninja. They had won, you could say, but loss had hit deep and there arrival home was bleak.
Naruto's arm sought blindly into the folds of Sakura's shirt, then found and clasped her hand tight. They had grown close. Naruto's love only growing deeper and Sakura responded softly in kind but only when she was caught off guard.
Sakura felt guilty though, regardless of her blossoming relationship with Naruto, there was a time when having Sasuke fight side by side with her again had made her feel a nostalgic stirring in the pit of her stomach. They had grown so much stronger now. All three were so different from the naïve children they had started out as, and in a moment of adrenalin fuelled chakra attacks and genjistu Sakura had glanced over at Sasuke and when he looked back something had sparked. Sakura had felt her heart rate rise and her face flush slightly.
Though Sasuke had never come back to Konoha, so when they had aided in Orichimaru's defeat he had lingered back and wandered the other villages, still searching out Itachi. It was the confrontation with his brother that had doomed him.
"Sakura" Naruto's voice roused her from her thoughts. "Let's go…"
They walked away from the murmurs of prayer, slightly acknowledging fellow teammates. Kakashi noticed them and exited the site to follow them out. What he came across was Naruto sobbing brokenly into Sakura's hair. His long arms wrapped around her shoulders tightly. Sakura felt Kakashi's presence and looked up into his face. Her eyes were wild with grief and tears had blotched her cheeks. He felt their sorrow.
"Kakashi-sensei," She whispered hoarsely. "What are we going to do?"
He did not have an answer.
--
Sakura found a happy Naruto sitting at the ramen stand with more than one empty bowl piled beside him.
"Yo Saukra-chan," Naruto greeted with a full mouth.
Sakura sat down beside him and ordered a water. They chatted companionably about their friends until they sat in a comfortable silence for a while.
"Wanna come over tonight?"
She did not answer straight away and Naruto stopped his slurping and looked sideways at her profile.
"Yeah… guess so"
It hasn't been happening long, but Sakura already felt a small nagging regret.
She would visit his messy house and complain. They'd invite whoever was available to join them drink sake, chat and squeal with laughter. But the days were more frequent when it was only the two of them, and then there was just nothing to laugh about when they were alone.
One night right in the middle of Naruto's impressions of 'Ero-Sennin' Sakura just fell asleep. She had drunk much and eaten less, missions had been tough lately and she took all that was offered.
"Ne Sakuraaaa!" He scooted closer; she was softly snoring in the folds of her arms. Her legs crossed and back bent. "You'll catch a cold if you sleep here…ne." Naruto scratched his head, pondering on the best action to take.
Sakura woke to a slack hand resting heavily on her hip, and she groggily rolled over,
"Ehhr… what?" Her eyes opened slightly, it was still dark. She froze; the warmth of another body was close. Sakura was surprised and a little embarrassed to look into the sleeping face of Naruto.
She punched him.
"Naruto hentai!" She screeched. He climbed back on the bed.
"What! That's unfair Sakura-chan, I was asleep" He replied rubbing his swelling cheek. "Anyways, you should be thanking me, you fell asleep and I only have one bed and I shared it with you."
Sakura sighed in annoyance and muttered, "You should be a gentleman and take the couch!"
"I don't have a couch."
"Then the floor!"
Naruto rolled over and pulled the blankets with him, "Naw, I'm good here… 'Night"
Sakura sat still, then relented and lay back down. Naruto's breathing wasn't even and she new he was still awake.
"Sakura…"
He rolled and they faced one another.
"Sakura," The bed dipped with Naruto's movements, indicating him moving closer. Sakura panicked, and she didn't want to think about the direction her thoughts were heading.
"Goodnight Naruto!"
But surprisingly tonight he wouldn't let up. When she rolled over. He rolled over with her. Propping himself up over her, he looked down at her with a serious expression on his face. Sakura found it hard to look away and just brush him off.
"Sakura, may I… kiss you?"
She didn't answer so he lowered himself gently and pressed his lips on hers. Sakura could feel both their hearts beating erratically.
He pushed harder and her mouth opened under his. Not really sure of what to do Naruto just explored timidly, then growing in confidence became more passionate. They drew apart for air and before Sakura could protest he kissed her again.
That night was the beginning and they both discovered a new side of there relationship. Naruto was clumsy in his actions and blushed heatedly when he couldn't unclasp her bra. She lifted his shirt over his shoulders, taking in his sun tanned skin and toned abdomen. He caressed her breasts hesitantly then trailed his fingers down over her stomach. Sakura gasped as she felt her skin ripple in response and she un-consciously bucked into his hips.
"Hrrnnn, Sakura!" Naruto's hand came between them and he pulled at his pants drawstring. Sakura's mind was in a haze and she didn't really think of his actions until she felt him pushing himself into her.
"Naruto… it hurts!"
"Shit, Sakura! I'm sorry but please just… hold on"
The discomfort eased and she found her self-joining into the rhythm. They both enjoyed nipping and touching each other, discovering one another's sensitive spots. After they lay spent, sleep came quickly and their limbs loosely tangled around each other. Drawing comfort from one another.
They continued the fling throughout the next few weeks, almost every night. Sakura always let Naruto lead her into submission, telling herself it's what he wants and she just enjoyed the distraction. But lately her mind was clouding dangerously.
She would run her fingers through his tall yellow spikes and trails her fingertips across his suntanned skin and her mind would automatically think of how different they were opposed to long black strands and pale alabaster skin. The first night her thoughts became corrupted, she hastily pushed them at the back of her mind, but one night when Sasuke's face came to surface when Naruto was on the top of her, the guilt washed over her.
"Naruto," Sakura spoke as she hurriedly dressed. "I can't keep sleeping over like this."
Naruto stood up from the bed and moved towards her, "Then move in with me."
Sakura paused in her movements. Then turned to face him. She felt elated at his proposal, but then she shook those troublesome thoughts from her head.
"No, Naruto. I can't be with you like this"
"Like what?" He protested.
Sakura's frustration rose, "I don't have time for a heart to heart, Tsunade-shishou has summoned me…"
But Naruto blocked her attempted exit. "What you're saying makes no sense. I know we're kinda being secretive, but it's not something we have to keep hidden at all, right? Let's go on a real date tonight"
Sakura felt her stomach twist. "Naruto, I don't know if I'm ready for that sort of relationship yet."
Naruto shook his head. "Why?"
And then something dawned on him. "Is this about Sasuke?" He had a strong grip on her arm, and it now tightened. "You're still in love with him?!"
Sakura refused instantly, but Naruto wouldn't hear it. It turned tense fast and he looked away. Sakura felt an un-recognisable emotion rise to the surface when watching his pained expression avoid her face. But she didn't want to think about it now and walked hurriedly toward the door.
"He meant a lot to both of us, Sakura. For you it was different, I know but…"
Sakura didn't let him finish and left.
End Chapter 1.
Criticism that is constructive is appreciated.
Thanks.
RxR.