Sakura's Event Diary
Naruto and Tenten were flirting again. Super annoying.
Naruto beat Sasuke. No one could believe it.
His arm was dislocated, but he made the other boy submit with brute violence.
I wanted to beat the Dummy up for doing that to my Sasuke.
But Naruto said that:
"In a real fight, survival is the thing that mattered. One day we might end up on a team together. And I fought while thinking that I was protecting you, and then before I knew it I went crazy. I'd do anything to bring you home safe."
Dummy. It's just practice.
But even Sasuke stood up and told me to shut up.
And then challenged Naruto to a rematch.
It really hurt my feelings but Sasuke-kun doesn't know how much his words hurt.
And the teacher Iruka-sensei applauded that dummy Naruto.
He wouldn't shut up about how important it was to take the training seriously.
One day, we would be on three man teams, and if we couldn't get our hands dirty to bring our allies back then we had better leave the academy right now.
Whatever.
He still hurt my Sasuke.
But… if someone were trying to hurt me, I guess I could let Naruto protect me.
Even if it's Naruto.
He really likes me, I bet, even now. I catch him stealing glances.
He just settled for that Tenten girl because he knows my heart belongs to Sasuke-kun.
I could probably count on Naruto to protect me really passionately.
Naruto beat Sasuke-kun again.
Sasuke got really upset.
He keeps bugging Naruto for rematches these days.
Naruto changed his outfit again. I think I saw it in a magazine, but only for adults.
Ino asked how he got it in his own size.
Dummy Naruto wouldn't answer.
The blazer he wore really brings out his eyes.
They were flirting again today.
They were kissing under the tree in the back. I bet they thought no one would see them, but I always go by there on my way home.
Tenten looked super happy.
I'm not jealous.
Oh my god.
Sasuke and Naruto have started to make bets on their fights.
Naruto won again. He ran straight through a fireball and pulled out a training katana.
I think he got the Katana from his girlfriend. It looks… oriental. Like her.
Naruto's always beating Sasuke lately. We're starting to get used to it.
A few girls have left the Sasuke-kun fanclub but us true believers are still around.
There's even talk of making a Naruto club. They say he's cool because he's wild and savage.
Kiba got super pissed when he heard, but it's not the same when Kiba acts like a dog.
Naruto doesn't fight like a dog. More like… a barbarian. Like a wild man.
Naruto has this thing called an I.O.U. from Sasuke-kun now. It's what they bet on.
All the girls want it.
It can make Sasuke go on a date with you!
It's like a magic lamp!
Not bad, that Naruto!
I tried to sweet him up. He was blushing and everything.
I knew it, he still likes me.
I bet I can get the I.O.U. from him.
But his girlfriend swooped in and cut us off.
Dragged him off to another date.
They're always going out on dates.
It gives them a mature vibe.
…Is what other people tell me.
Cha!
Naruto has five I.O.U.
Five!
That covers a date, a second date, and valentines, with more to spare.
Valentines day is coming up.
He started to use Henge in battle. He turned himself into one of the big samurai from the movies.
Like right off of the poster.
And then he used his bigger size and reach to beat Sasuke-kun.
No one else is that good with Henge yet. Not even Sasuke. So right now Naruto's winning all the fights.
Anyway, I told him that if he gave me one I.O.U, I would go on a date with him.
Here's how it went.
"Really?" He said with a stupid grin. I haven't seen the stupid grin in a while. What a goof. "You mean it Sakura-chan?"
What a goof. He's such a goof.
I didn't miss him.
I might have missed him a little. It's nice to be wanted.
"Ah… no." he muttered. "I… I have a girlfriend now."
"She doesn't have to know." I said, holding his arm. This is how mom said I should get what I want from a boy. All's fair in love and war. Mom says. I gave him upturned eyes and smiled shyly. "It will be just us in private."
This is the killer technique of the Haruno.
Mom had said.
It doesn't work on Sasuke-kun. Sasuke-kun is too cool.
But Naruto blushed beet red and looked like he would faint.
Dummy!
He's so funny. And lively.
But haha. Ino-pig has also been trying things like that. All the Sasuke-cun Club members have. Since the I.O.U. are like the only way Sasuke-kun will look at you.
But Naruto wouldn't give them over.
Because no one had a handle on Naruto like I had on Naruto.
I knew it. He just settled for that older girl because he couldn't get me.
"...N-No!" Ah. He snapped out of it. "I'm sorry. I really like you, but I can't betray my girlfriend!"
Aw.
He's really devoted. That's sweet. He's a good boyfriend with good boyfriend morals. Even if he's a dummy.
"Anyway." I said gently. "We can just go for a walk. It's not a date, really. Just two friends. How can I go on a real date when I'm trying to get Sasuke?"
He looked disappointed.
I felt… super victorious.
I felt better than that older, bigger chested girl.
It's a bad thing. I might get addicted to this feeling.
I don't want to talk about the date.
It doesn't matter what happened. He has a girlfriend now anyway.
And I have an I.O.U. for Sasuke
Valentines is coming up
Okay. So.
He took me on a walk. We walked to the Hokage monument.
He told me some stuff.
Like why he used to like me. Why he still liked me.
Why I could go with Sasuke if I wanted. If it would make me happy.
I cried a little. I can't look him in the eyes anymore.
I'm sorry for every time I hit him.
He said.
"Because you're a civilian. So you're an outsider, like me. You and I are the only ones without a clan. At least, we go home and no one can help us train. No one can help us study. Ino's got a clan. Choji has a clan. Everyone else has someone to help them. You and I… it's just us. We're doing our best. You're doing your best. I'm cheering for you Sakura. All the time. Because it isn't fair. Life isn't fair. I can't… I can't get most things in this world. Can't get family. Nor respect. I barely beat Sasuke every week. But you're different. You're smart, you have a great big brain."
"... Are you talking about my forehead?"
"You have a beautiful forehead."
"...I hate it."
"I love it. I love your pink hair. Everything's wonderful."
"Liar. I'm the only one with this hair other than my dad."
"My clan usually has red hair."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So pink is fine with me. It reminds me of the Sakura petals. It's calming."
"..."
"And you're kind."
"When have I been kind to you?"
"You're kind to other people." Naruto said. "It doesn't matter if it's not me. You're still pretty when you do it."
"It… It matters a little…"
He smiled at me again. Like an idiot.
I cried a little.
"...I'm sorry. For everything." I told him.
"It's okay."
"I'll uh, make it up to you."
"It's fine."
"It's not fine!"
"Then… can I kiss your forehead? It's what I always wanted to do."
"Dummy! You're making fun of it again!"
"I'm not. It's really pretty."
"L-Liar! Liar!"
"Come here."
"Don't… W-Wait!"
He held my cheeks in his hands, and brushed my bangs aside.
His hands were warm.
His eyes were warm.
His lips were warm.
The warmth filled up my whole body. It was super weird.
Even though he just kissed me on my freakish big stupid forehead.
"...Dummy." I breathed. "That… was my first."
"It's just on the forehead. It doesn't count. Like the date."
"Yeah." I had said. I don't know why but my chest hurt so much my hands had dug at the ground. I still have the dirt under my fingernails. "It's not for real."
After that we sat there on the Yondaime's head and just talked. He used to be yelling all the time. He should have just talked calmly to me.
If he had been like this from the start then I.
…Anyway.
I learned more about him. About how being loud in his pursuit of me was supposed to help cheer me up.
I remember that when it all started, I had been quiet and lonely all day.
Making fun of Naruto together was part of what got Ino to start talking to me again.
And he knew it would happen. He was willing to be the clown to make me happy.
I couldn't believe he did that for me.
I still can't believe it.
I wanted to let him kiss my forehead again, but it felt like I would be crossing a line this time.
Somehow.
Like it meant more now. Even though it's just on the forehead.
Like I'd betray Sasuke.
We talked about even more things.
We talked until the sun went down. About some pranks he used to do. Some more he was thinking of.
They're funny. He's funny as long as he's not getting in the way.
And the date ended.
But I didn't want it to end.
My chest hurts every time I think about it.
What is this agony?
My chest hurts. My forehead feels warm.
I missed two meetings of the Sasuke club so far.
I guess it doesn't matter. I have an I.O.U.
I can use it to get a date with Sasuke-kun. I'm already ahead of the other girls.
Valentines is coming up.
I'll use it then.
Maybe.
That Tenten girl!
I just.
She acts so happy all the time.
And they're always going off together every lunch. Where do they go?
And after school!
They even show up together in the mornings!
She's so dumb!
Clingy!
Cow Tits!
She doesn't even know who her boyfriend really likes.
I should tell her we went on a date.
I should take him on a date again, just to show her!
I should let her watch how he smiles for me. Let her see him kiss me!
I hate her. I hate her. I hate her. I hate her!
So what if it's your one year anniversary with that idiot?
I don't care. No one cares!
Stop showing off!
I hate, hate, hate her!
Even Ino started to ask about Naruto.
Like what kind of girl he likes.
Are you serious?!
All of you go away!
Naruto was missing from class today.
So was Hinata.
Sasuke got moody. When Naruto was around he kept bugging Naruto for a fight. Now when Naruto isn't here he doesn't say anything to anyone. He just sits there like he used to.
I haven't used the I.O.U.
Naruto didn't show up.
Naruto still didn't show up.
Hinata is also still absent.
It's Valentines day.
What happened to that Dummy?
He doesn't even show up for Valentines day?
He hasn't even sent a note or anything.
I was so distracted looking for him that I got home and only now realized I haven't used the I.O.U.
I went to his house. I got the address because I volunteered to give him the homework he'd missed.
His building is super dirty and worn down. Through the window I saw a lot of weights and different sizes of rocks. Even though his clothes are so nice lately, his apartment is an impoverished mess.
He's not there. His parents aren't around. I asked the neighbors and it seems that Naruto lived alone.
And that he hadn't been back the whole time.
I'm getting scared.
I'm going crazy. Why doesn't he come to school?
Tenten won't say anything.
Some girlfriend she is! She's just using him because he's kind!
He's always taking her to dinner.
Even though his household is already so troubled.
I knew it. She doesn't love him.
She's a viper! She's a user!
I hate her.
Come back. Just come back.
I won't say anything anymore. Just come back.
I hate myself. I hate Ino. I hate Tenten. I hate everything.
My chest hurts. I want to die.
If you don't want to hurt me, come back.
If you're going to protect me, come back.
I don't miss you. But I'll miss you if that's what brings you back.
Just come back. I'll let you kiss me again. I'll go on a walk with you.
Dummy.
Come back…
Please?
Naruto came back.
He's lost his right arm.
