PASSING SEASONS
Swirl of Summer
It was summer when he had left. He had broken her heart for the first out of many times, and it took many seasons for her to accept that that is how it will always be with him and her. Not because he'd be a spiteful and plainly aggressive person towards her feelings, but simply because the way the two of them felt for each other, was completely different. Not the opposite – he didn't despise her; he simply held no intimate affections for her, and he had tried many many times to make her understand that. When he left as a child, leaving her behind like that, it was just his first of many tries of making her see.
And since then time has passed. Seasons changed. Wars were fought and won, some battles lost, some people gone, but her hope that she might eventually reach him and make him think of her didn't quite disappear. She didn't actually believe he would ever come back, nor did she think he would ever feel anything for her – but because she never got her closure, her mind kept that tiny tiny spot somewhere in her heart free just for him. Because perhaps, who knows, maybe… Mostly, however, she moved on, leaving those dark eyes behind. She had realized that waiting isn't something she really wants to do. Not really. And not that she really had the chance with all the people in her life.
Seasons changed. She grew up. Her hair got long. Her body turned female. And her brain absorbed knowledge like a black hole. She smiled often. She didn't think of him that much anymore. Not as much at least.
''Sakura-chan! Come on!'' Ino and Naruto pestered her, while waiting in front of her door. She sighed looking at herself one last time in the mirror in Tsunade's office. Her mentor shared her office with her since Sakura started her training as the head medical nin; today, however, Sakura was the only one in there, taking care of some papers before the well-deserved weekend. As almost every day, she spent her evenings with her friends, more often with Naruto than with anyone else, sometimes eating out, sometimes cooking at home. Today Ino joined them and a few others were waiting at the ramen shop. ''I'm coming already!'' She quickly grabbed her backpack she always had with her (emergency clothes, comfy shoes, and energy snacks were a must in her job), and rushed out of the office, making sure she locked it properly.
''Kami-sama, finally! I'm hungry!'' Ino exclaimed, making her friend laugh and walk after her. ''I'd think Naruto would be more complaining.''
Ino rolled her eyes, glancing at the mentioned boy, who stared hard to the side, shaking in stifling laughter as the two girls bickered about food. ''He had a snack while we were waiting!''
Sakura laughed at that and shook her head at Naruto's playfully innocent face. They soon arrived at the ramen shop, Tenten, Kiba, Sai, Hinata, and a few others already waiting for them. Well… Already eating without them. ''You guys are horrible!'' Ino exclaimed, throwing herself at the nearest chair and ordering food. ''You couldn't have waited for us?''
They just shrugged, mostly ignoring her complains. Sakura sat down next to Hinata and Naruto sat down next to her. ''Sorry for being late, guys. I just had to put some stuff away in the office before heading out. Tsunade would have killed me if I left it like it was.''
Hinata smiled at her. ''It's ok, Sakura-chan. We weren't here that long anyway. They boys just didn't want to wait.''
''Really? Should have known…'' she playfully glared at the group that was conveniently preoccupied with the food to notice her.
''Doesn't matter. At least we'll get food before going to the festival. Best idea ever, I tell you.'' Naruto grinned and ordered his first three portions, glancing at Sakura to get her order, too. ''The usual for me, too, but only one portion.'' She told him and he yelled it over to the chef. It was weird, now that she thought about it, to have a usual at this place. Just a few years ago, she mostly ate at other places or at home, now she spent her evenings with Naruto and his ridiculous ramen. They hung out almost every evening, and she basically spent more time with him than with anyone else in the group. Actually, she spent all her free time with him. Of course, the group met up regularly at weekends or occasionally during the week for lunch or a drink, but Naruto seemed to have become her other half.
It didn't bother her at all.
Tonight, however, the group gathered to have dinner together, before they would change into their festival yukatas and go to the Summer Festival, the village was celebrating. They could have waited to eat food there, but their shifts ended early, and it was only late in the afternoon, just a few hours before the begin of the festival. Everyone chatted and drank, laughing at inside jokes, and yelling for more rounds. Eventually, they made their way to the festival that was already in full swing, the music swallowing the whole place into a state of marry-making.
''I can't wait to dance!'' Naruto sang in that little tipsy way, throwing his arms around Hinata and Sakura, and making them sway for balance. Luckily, they were in far better condition than the others; Kiba for example having Akamaru on his back and swinging left and right with him, disregarding the tiny fact that the dog was twice as big as he was. Ino, on the other hand was already in her old geezer mood, telling embarrassing stories of other drunken nights to anyone who would listen. Nevertheless, they weren't the only ones in a good mood, for people celebrated not only summer as it was, but also the fact that they've been living more or less peaceful lives for the past few years after the war. It was simply impossible to be sad on that night. Even though, occasionally, Sakura's mind would wander to the dark eyes. She dismissed that thought as soon as it came, and let herself enjoy the warm swirl of the summer breeze. The group stood at the side for not long before they were pulled into the dancing mass one by one. Sakura laughed at Ino's protests for being pulled away from her story telling, but was soon joining the traditional moves in the middle.
For a moment, Sakura admired the sight, but before she could take everything in, a palm was offered to her. When she looked up, Naruto was grinning cheekily at her. He took her hand and she could feel a weird tug in her chest. ''Come.'' He smiled, taking her hand and gently pulling her after him. Sakura laughed at his boyish behaviour, catching her so unprepared. She followed him, her eyes gazing at the back of his head. She quickly glanced around, realizing that they were one of the rare still not dancing people in the huge crowd. Well, soon they would be among the crowd. The Summer Festival was in full bloom. The whole village was lit up with golden lights and paper lanterns, the big festival drums echoing in rhythm through the area, welcoming the crowd into the sounds and couloirs of the one of many summer festivals. The centre of the village was turned into a huge dancing area, surrounded with hundreds of different food, game, and shop stands, inviting the old and young to come closer and have a taste of the offered. Paper dragons were flying under the lights, while the children ran after them to catch at least the tail. Families and friends, couples, and acquaintances, wearing colourful summer yukatas enjoyed the festival atmosphere, walking around, eating the Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki and all the other-yaki's offered on the stands, drinking sake and beer, and chatting with each other, catching up with the latest news and gossip. The majority, however, was crowded in the very centre of the festival, dancing in circles and pairs to the sounds of the traditional melodies, played by the young students, standing on the wide, but low stage in the middle.
The atmosphere of the beautiful festival was breath-taking and Sakura couldn't help but sigh dreamily as she felt all the bliss of being part of something so perfect. Naruto glanced back at her, smiling at the content, showing on her face. It took them a long time to find a space among the dancing groups, but finally, he found Ino and a few others and she quickly pulled them both into the dancing circle. Sakura never felt happier as in that moment, as she was dancing with her friends. The night was warm and bright with lanterns and stars above, the music led her in steps of the beautiful circling and moving left and right, arms hugging the world. At one point the circle rows faced each other and Sakura found herself smiling at Naruto.
''Best night ever!'' he yelled over the noise and Sakura couldn't agree more. The rows came together and stepped away again, only to twirl around and meet again. Sakura grinned up at Naruto's happy face, only now realizing how much taller he was, and how wide his shoulders seemed. He grew into a man without her noticing. For a moment, she even felt confused as she suddenly breathed in his subtle perfume and felt her heartbeat speed up, her cheeks heat up, and her chest fill with something warm and expanding – her breathing felt harder for a second, but then they stepped away again, and she could finally breathe. She glanced at him, him being as oblivious as always. He grinned around him, dancers passing him, bowing their head and moving with the rhythm. When he met her again, his eyes once more caught hers, and it took her breath away – again. He seemed… Beautiful. His golden hair shining in the festival lights, and his smile brighter than anything she has ever seen. His golden yukata embraced his manly body like it was created to be worn by only him. She could hear his voice somewhere between the sound of music and people talking, and it felt like tingles wrapped her into a state of pure honey-soft legs and dazzled visions.
He smiled in that typical Naruto way, a little boyish, and a little naughty, but he looked her straight into her eyes, his blue reflecting hers. He had always looked like that at her and she realized that nothing had changed for him. Only the slight tension around his lip indicated the struggle not break into a goofy, loving chuckle, and only the slight quivering of his brows indicated that there are way more emotions hidden behind his tender expression than he was ready to show. He still felt a lot for her and Sakura couldn't believe she still had such an impact on him. After all this time. There was a warm prickle in her chest again and she couldn't control the wide smile she broke into as she watched confusion at her sudden happiness spread over her face. ''What? Do I have something on my face?'' This made her laugh a little, but she kept moving with him to the rhythm. ''Yes.'' she smiled. ''Yes, you have." He wore lots of emotions on his face. Almost literally.
She finally laughed at him as he spend the next few minutes wiping off his face of that imaginative thing that was there. She didn't tell him what it was. She simply enjoyed the moment of complete happiness at the realisation that perhaps she did care for the boy more than she was aware. She'll ignore that for now. It was a little frightening to think about it. Her eyes, however, stayed on him for the rest of the night, curious and surprized, but mostly quite happy with the sight he offered. She never realized Naruto was such a guy. A proper guy. It made her smile at the wonder that he presented. Perhaps she was warming up to him. Perhaps. Who would know? Sasuke might not be fresh in her mind, but he was still there. Maybe, just maybe Naruto would finally dare to reach for her.
''Come on, Sakura-chan!'' he whined, making her laugh. ''Tell me!'' she shook her head and took a look around her. Naruto rolled his eyes at her, and pulled at her hand again. She caught the glint in his eyes, his boyish grin once again making her heart skip a little. ''Come, let's go eat some food!'' she let him hold her hand as he dragged her through the crowd, laughing at his enthusiasm and making fun of him as he stuffed his face with food once again.
''Naruto, you'll explode!''
''Will not!''
She soon dragged him around the festival, challenging him to different games and winning half of them. They ended up standing on the hill with their friends, admiring the fireworks that light up the night even more, illuminating different shapes on the faces of the admiring crowd. As always, Naruto snakingly tried to take her hand and playfully hold her. And this time, Sakura pretended she didn't notice that their pinkie fingers were intertwined, and that Naruto seemed far more fascinated with her face than with the fireworks display. She could feel his eyes on her, his expression one of surprize and pure happiness. He only had eyes for her. And he seemed deaf when she squealed in excitement at the magnificence of the lights and turned to him with a bright smile on her face. ''It's amazing! It's beautiful!''
She only saw his mouth agree. ''Beautiful.''
She looked up again, deciding to pretend that the heat of her cheeks was also just a figment of her imagination. Time will tell and show her the way.