(5 years ago)
The flow of the river is mighty as it travels into the pond that helps spread life around the city of Konoha. There is a young man sitting among its banks with one knee up and both arms holding unto it tightly, as if it were to fly off into a greater distance. That is how Naruto felt, things within his life that he held dearly are being pulled into pieces and separated beyond belief.
There is only one string holding him to this earth. One string that holds him to his beliefs, he squints his eyes wondering why this string would hold him close as he has held his limbs. It is a question that seeks no answer, but an answer that can be given.
That is when this certain person launches on his back giggling like a young child discovering its favorite toy.
"Naruto-kun!"
The girl squeals, her long pink hair brushing against his shoulder provides a sense of warmth that can't be provided by someone else. Her breath holds some perfume that lingers among the air and teases his senses. Naruto couldn't help but forget about his worries for that single moment as they lean in to kiss. Their lips touch ever so slightly as Naruto releases yet another thing important him. He releases his limb that he held dearly.
Bringing the girl closer, he could hear the heavy beats thumping against his chest like fire crackers waiting to light up the darkness of his heart. There is to be a festival tonight celebrating the little amount of peace these tired villagers deserve. Naruto had promised Sakura to take her there and try and win all the prizes. It was a childish promise but a promise that only requires being half finished.
The two of them lay beside each other until their sinful lust has ended and Naruto could feel his tempting desires slowly drown as the moments of silence grew. They look into the bright blue sky wishing this moment to never disappear, but like all things that begin. There will always be an ending to follow it.
Sakura plays with her fingers upon his thigh as she feels the reassuring safety inside his arms and Naruto ignores his worldly pleasures, something he never knew will eventually catch up to him, "What kimono do you think I should wear?" Sakura asks playfully, not looking at him but waiting patiently for his answer, "Hmm…" Naruto ponders, lifting his hand unto his chin, wondering, "I guess the green one you wore to Ino's party is nice." Naruto said as Sakura giggles softly, "What…you don't like that suggestion?"
Naruto was prepared to name several different Kimono's but his thoughts were stolen by Sakura's absentminded smile, "No it's not that…just that you and Sasuke both said you liked that one." Sakura reveals and Naruto crosses his brow a bit, disappointed that his rival has been brought inside the picture.
He wishes it could just be him and that man could be left out. He doesn't want anything to do with him ever since the great shinobi war. How could he be so cheerful after what happened? It doesn't sound right. Naruto clicks his tongue before letting go of his grip slightly, causing Sakura to look up confused, "Oh right, the two of you are still fighting. I swear sometimes you just need to accept how things are."
"It's not Sasuke…"
Naruto says something that brings Sakura to a halt. By the look of her expression, Naruto could only beg himself to never make that mistake again, "Wait. Don't tell me you still believe Sasuke is Orochimaru…"
"He is!"
Naruto said, looking a bit irritated as he sits up. He didn't like the fact that no one believes what he saw. They all think that just because Sasuke passed some test, they should block out his word, because Naruto knows what he saw. He saw Orochimaru go inside Sasuke and that person whose inside Sasuke right now is no longer the friend he once knew.
Sakura just stands up and marches away, biting her lips so tight her face looks like it's about to burst, "God what more do you want from a guy?" She said, walking away as Naruto grinds his teeth. He knows he isn't crazy, but if the person who loves him doesn't believe him, then who will? Should he just accept it despite knowing what no one else knows? He punches the ground without a single thought and his hands scrape against the rocks. The color of crimson red soon covers his hand and Sakura is no longer beside him. The one string holding him to this earth has left and he is only accompanied by the moster that resides within him.
"Na-Ru-To"
The dark voice enters his mind as Naruto tries to shake it off, "Leave!" he yells into the empty air, refusing to deal with such monstrosity at this time.
"I BELIEVE…"
The words thunder loudly but the effect it left was more effective. This monster believes him and that is something that provides more than comfort. It is too late though, Naruto is used to its fake promises and mischief. He denies it with all his heart, shutting his eyes tightly Naruto reaches for his pocket and brings out a knife, "Leave me alone!" he yells once more as he stabs the tree, watching it's thick liquid drifting slowly down to the ground.
The voice discontinues its unpleasant mock battle against Naruto and Naruto rest his weight against the tree, feeling tired. He doesn't know what the intentions of the nine tail fox could be but ever since after the war, they have grown more apart. He used to be close to the beast, but something is wrong and everything in Naruto's life just doesn't feel right.
To top it off, whenever the voice becomes tired so does Naruto. It's like it's his power that supplies the demon this time. The nine tail chakra couldn't be re-summoned, no matter how hard Naruto tried. The dimensional world where the kyuubi resides is no longer there. In all actuality, Naruto could only see the blackness of the night whenever he tries to cross worlds and enter the hallow part of his mind.
Now when he does get a chance to speak with his 'second soul' there is an eerie feeling of evil lurking in every corner. The nine tails is corrupted and Naruto has no idea why.
Naruto feels dizzy as his body slides down to the ground, leaning against the tree. He finds it difficult to breath. The vision surrounding the forest, the gushing sound of the river, and the light from the blazing sun disintegrated into nothing.
"Stupid Naruto…" Sakura said, stomping outside the forest and refusing to look back. She will never forgive him and his childish ways. It used to excite her a bit when she found him jealous but now it's just ridiculous. They when through various missions to retrieve Sasuke and when he finally decides to come back on his own free will. He refuses him!
"AH!" she screams, feeling the irritation crawling into her skin and taking over her carefully structured emotions. That's when she feels an embraced that almost reminds her of Naruto, "What's the matter?" Sasuke said, looking over her shoulders with a warm smile.
Sakura gives a sigh of relief, before giggling softly to herself, "Oh nothing, just walking around on my own." The golden rays slowly begin to go under the mountain and the beautiful stars cover the skies, "It's getting dark. Are you sure you were just walking around?" Sasuke chuckles light, pulling her hair gently to the side as he walks her home, "Are you going to the festival tonight?" Sasuke asks before letting go of her hand. Sakura quickly blushes, not knowing they were holding hands in the first place.
She tries to hide her face by bowing her head, but Sasuke lifts it up by her chin, "There's no reason to be embarrassed Sakura." Sasuke said, giving a curvy smile as he brings her close, "If Naruto fails doing his job because of his jealously, I'm willing to take over."
It was a joke, but it stings and hurts Sakura a bit as she pulls herself back. Her eyes refuse to look him in the face as she strides to the side and enters her comfort joke. She repeats the words in her head constantly reminding herself to be loyal, but Sasuke is just too charming…
"You know…I actually heard from Naruto a while ago that he isn't going to the festival tonight." Sasuke said, placing his arms behind his head and closing his eyes as if this had no importance, "Naruto wouldn't say that." Sakura said with a joking expression, but the more she thinks about it and after the fight they had. It makes some sense after all.
"It's just what I heard that's all. I bet he'll eventually show up though." Sasuke said before walking away silently as Sakura watches his back disappearing into the night sky, "If he doesn't show up then I'll be willing to take you around."
Sasuke leaves those last words, living Sakura to think carefully about her option, "He'll show up…"
Sakura said silently as she opens the gate to her home and twisting the nob slightly. She couldn't help but feel that she would prefer him not showing up. What will happen if he didn't? Will she fall in love with a different man tonight?