Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The main street of Konoha was bustling with excitement as everyone prepared for the upcoming festival. Most of the traffic had to be detoured, because the street was near impossible to navigate through; people were on ladders, hanging streamers, lanterns and other decorations; market stalls were being converted to have games and serve snacks; and the end of the street was being cleared of garbage so it could be an ideal spot to view the fireworks. It seemed that everyone in the village was excited for the start of the festival at sundown, except one pink-haired kunoichi.
Haruno Sakura was not excited. In fact, she was dreading it. And for one simple reason: she didn't have a date. The only person she would have liked to go with ran off with Sir Serpent to another country! And even if she could ask him, chances are, he would reject her before she even brought up the subject. As Sai had told her, she wasn't the prettiest girl in the village. And at fifteen, she still found her self to lack a womanly body.
She sighed, wanting to scream at her mother for making her go, no matter how many times Sakura pleaded to stay home.
She thought about asking Naruto, but couldn't find him anywhere and knew all too well that he would probably ask her to pay for any of the food he was planning on eating. Then, Sakura thought about Sai. Sure, they were pretty good friends, but she doubted that they would have an enjoyable time. What about Lee? No, she'd rather not...
She glanced at her clock. It was almost six. Time to get ready...
The festival had started and Sakura wandering around, dressed in a simple red kimono. She had to admit, she was having an okay time, but every time she saw a woman, arm linked with a man, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy mixed with disappointment. She's seen all of her friends and each one had a date. Even TenTen managed to get Neji to go with her. However, she hasn't seen hide nor hair of Naruto.
It was beginning to get late, and the fireworks were just about to start. Might as well go to see them. Sakura sat down on one of the benches. There weren't any buildings on this end of the street, which meant a good view as intended by those who set up the festival.
She looked around. Even though she didn't want Naruto as a date, she still would have liked to see him. Maybe they could have watched the fireworks together. But no. No Naruto in sight. She sighed. Where is he? It's so unlike him to miss this festival... Then, a familiar voice rang in her ears.
"Saaakuraaa-chaaaan!" the blond boy called.
The pink-haired girl turned to see him make his way through the crowds, certainly brightening up her mood. He took the seat next to her.
"Sorry, I didn't show up," he began, "but I didn't know what flowers you liked, so..."
Naruto handed Sakura a bouquet of multiple flowers, each different. Sure it looked odd, because some didn't go very well together, but she smiled at his gift.
"Thanks, Naruto!" she exclaimed, before kissing him on the cheek.
And never before had the blond boy's face been so red.
I suck at endings.