Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Thanks Yamada Umeko for being so sweet and editing this!
Bittersweet
by Sapphire Snowflake
I could never, ever reach you, however hard I tried; this is bittersweet love.
He watched her as she tucked some of her pink locks behind her ear. He would be satisfied with that, with watching her from afar; yearning for something he knew he couldn't have...yet.
And as she smiled and waved at him when she noticed him standing there, he would never fail to show his foxy grin at her.
He would be contented, just from seeing her smile like that.
- - - -
She had moved to another apartment relatively far from the hospital where she worked compared to the first one. He had asked her about this while weaving his fingers through his blonde hair and quirking a brow at her. He saw this decision of hers as impractical and a waste of energy.
"It's near the sakura, Naruto!" she reasoned out.
He accepted this reasoning without any doubt. Of course, it's all about those cherry blossoms.
And it's all about her.
- - - -
He always made it a point to pass by her apartment every day, even though his agenda was in another part of the town. He would see her by the window, looking at the wonderful cherry blossoms. He always took note of her serene face, but never discerned the hint of sadness there.
And of course, she always noticed him down there, gazing at her the way she gazes at the scenery in front of her. She too, never saw the hint of softness and affection on his face.
She would always invite him in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake. And he would gladly agree to that spoonful of attention from her.
Because he loved her… He had always loved her. And he would do anything for her.
- - - -
It was autumn. The leaves on the ground match the color of the sky during that time. Everything matched him perfectly.
He went to see her after that day's rigorous work. With a smile plastered on his face, he strolled to that place where the cherry trees stood. He was not really in a hurry; he knew that she would be staying at home that day, doing lots of paperwork and probably reading tons of medical books.
He watched the scenery on his way there. Soon enough, her apartment's window came into view. His smile widened.
That smile turned into a look of shock as he saw her hand sticking lifelessly out the window. "Something's happened!" he thought alarmingly. Not wasting any time, he ran up to her room…
…only to see her sleeping form.
"She's just sleeping," he sighed in relief. He laughed at his stupidity. Of course she would be fine; she was one of the strongest kunoichi in Konoha.
Her hand that was previously sticking out the window was now safely tucked under her head.
He slowly approached her, afraid that she would wake up and catch him spying at her or something.
There was her beautiful face again. He became mesmerized by the way she sleeps and he wonders, "Will I ever have a chance to see her sleeping and waking face everyday?"
He reached out and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear – he had wanted to do that for a long time now – and noticed that she was holding onto something.
A blue ribbon…
Realization finally struck him.
His fist tightened, bangs covering his face. He was shaking. Moments passed, and soon he calmed down. He sighed, annoyed at himself.
"Of course. It was never because of those sakura."
Looking up, he saw the gates of Konoha Village from afar.
"I was always reaching for you. I never noticed that you're reaching for someone else."
- - - -
AN: Orange symbolizes strength and endurance. Anyway, reviews are much appreciated. I want to know what you readers think.
Sapphire Snowflake