Chapter Eight
Strange...

Her eyes were playing tricks on her.

It couldn't be him. How could it? He was a missing nin and passing through the gates of Konoha without the proper documents would deem him found and, most probably, the Hokage would send him back to his country for proper punishment. It was impossible. But the nagging feeling at the back of her head wouldn't leave her be as she tried to catch another glimpse of the blond man outside of her window—even if he seemed to be just a figment of her imagination.

Maybe he was haunting her because she was guilty of making him feel bad earlier.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto's voice rang throughout her apartment.

She shook her head and looked at him in exasperation. "Alright, Naruto. I'll come with you."

"Yosh!" After a fist-bump in the air, he took her hand in a firm grip and dragged her out of her apartment. She experimentally nudged her wrist loose from his grasp but he was holding unto her tightly. She gave out a defeated sigh and opted to follow him towards the pub that they frequented with the rest of their team. Sasuke won't be there and she doubted Kakashi would spend his night socializing with them so she knew she was stuck with Naruto for the rest of the night. Her lips slightly twitched.

"Sakura-chan, what's wrong?"

Now that's a question she would rather not answer. She looked at Naruto and let out a sigh. She counted from one to three in her mind and perked up after a while. She turned her head to the concerned blond's direction and gave him her biggest grin. "Nothing's wrong, Naruto! Don't worry about me! I'm fine!" She hastily turned back and hopped towards the bar.

Inside, a waft of smoke and the scent of musk took majority of what welcomed her. She stumbled towards a vacant table, passing through a series of feet that were on her way and bodily fluids. Her face scrunched in distaste as she reached her destination with Naruto following on her wake. He heavily plumped down beside her as she took a seat on the nearest couch. He looked at her in curiosity and grinned.

"You're too stressed lately, Sakura-chan."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Naruto." She replied calmly. "I have been on this mini-vacation for the past few days and I am feeling rather bored with everything."

Naruto raised a knowing brow. Sakura faltered slightly as she avoided his gaze.

"I actually kind of wish that Tsunada-sama would send me on a mission." She murmured slightly to herself.

Naruto shook his head and loudly ordered for a bottle of sake without a care of Sakura's disapproving sigh. She shook her head at him and murmured that he was being irresponsible. "Irresponsible, Sakura?" Naruto arched both brows at her in surprise. The bottle was set down in front of them and he poured them both a glass. He took a swig on his carelessly and as he dropped it on the table with a loud clank, he turned to her with his full attention.

"I think we need to have a talk, Sakura-chan." He said morosely. "It's okay to keep secrets from me—" Sakura almost cut him off with an indignant yell but he stopped her. "—but I know when you're upset and that makes me concerned whether or not you're taking care of yourself. I remember when teme..." He trailed off and let out a tired sigh.

Sakura felt a small smile graze her lips as she looked at Naruto. He was always been the friend that would always cheer her up in her darkest of times. Even though he knew that she would never like him beyond seeing him as a close friend or a brother, he still loved her. He never left her. She was truly thankful that she was blessed with Naruto in her life. She reached out and grabbed him for a tight hug. It had always been awkward whenever she tried to physically be affectionate with him but for once, she felt that it was right at that moment. He encircled his arms around her and burrowed himself in the crook of her neck.

"I just care for you too much, Sakura-chan."

Sakura froze. She pulled back a bit and stared at him. He gave her a sheepish grin and let her go but loosely kept a hold of her with his right arm around her waist. She was a bit uncomfortable with the sudden intimacy and decided that maybe, it was time for her to go. But seeing Naruto's beaming face directed at her made her stay for a while.

Just a while longer, she told herself as she found herself smiling back at him.


End Note: A little Naruto/Sakura moment there. Really sorry for the late update! I've been busy with my freelancing photography jobs and will be busier once I get a proper job. You can always contact me on Twitter, though. Feel free to message me (ellicee) and thank you all for the lovely comments, favourites and alerts while I was gone! x