Naruto Shippuden: Swan Song
Chapter Nine
The True Blossoming Of Heaven & Earth
It was ten to five; Naruto was getting all ready to go to the dance. He hasn't seen Sakura at all today, but he will be seeing a lot of her tonight. But it isn't only the dance that Naruto is thinking about, he's also thinking about if Sakura made a decision about if she loves him or not. Well she did promise she will have a decision tonight, but it will be understandable for Naruto if Sakura didn't make a decision. He has been waiting a long time for this moment, and the waiting might all be over tonight. But if she did make a decision, and if she doesn't love him, that will be understandable for Naruto as well. So he stares at the half assed mirror of his, this look wasn't him; he thinks he looks strange with the tuxedo on. From a woman's view, it's quite the contrary; he looks devilishly handsome in it, it's actually quite nice to see him not wearing the suit he wears everyday. He took a shower when he got home, and for the first time in a year, he actually used shampoo. He has to look and smell his best for his angel. But most of his originality is still intact, his hair is still wild looking, and still has that million-dollar smile. Sakura told him to meet her there, that's all he can remember what she said to him when it was his birthday. Sakura wanted to surprise him on what she was wearing to the dance. Naruto wonders what she will look like, it didn't mattered to Naruto really because she's beautiful enough already, anything else will be unworthy of his eyes to see. Naruto was now ready; he locked the door and finally headed out.
"Aw man, how did this happen to me? So freaking troublesome." Shikamaru said to himself.
"You know what Shikamaru? You look ridiculous in that suit." the big boned one said.
"Shad up Chouji." Shikamaru said to Chouji. They were all wearing tuxes, but they were differently colored. Shikamaru wore the traditional black and white, while Chouji wore red and white. They all have dates.. Well Shikamaru is going with the hot tempered pistol of Suna; Temari. While Chouji is going with Konoha's number one gossip queen; Ino. Well while Shikamaru and Temari's story of their date is cut and dry, but Chouji's is not so simple.
It started two weeks ago, after the umpteenth time Sai rejected Ino of a date, she asked Sai once more if he can with her to the dance, but Sai rejected the offer. It hurt her, and she turned to her team to cope with this. Since Shikamaru is busy with important stuff, she can only go to Chouji since he wasn't doing anything. They talked, Chouji listened to what she had to say, and gave his input on this matter. One thing lead to another, and out of nowhere, Ino said that she might have some feelings for Chouji, and Chouji said so as well. And that's the origin of how they came to be.
Well, maybe Shikamaru's and Temari's story of how they came to be isn't so simple after all. Well I guess Shikamaru started to have this attraction for her since when she saved him from one of the sound four. She kind of reminds him of his mother's high strung attitude. And even though he says he hates high stringed women, he really actually likes them because they keep him in check. Temari does not know of Shikamaru's feelings, she just viewed him as a friend and an escort when she visits the village. I mean it just came out of nowhere, but maybe deep down she may have feelings for Shikamaru. So Shikamaru asked her if she can come with him, it was very awkward for a minute or two, But Shikamaru didn't bluntly ask her out, it was more of an intelligent prolonged question. But Temari catch on what he was trying to ask her, and agreed to go out with him.
"Hey Shikamaru, how come you like Temari?" Chouji asked Shikamaru.
"I can ask you the same question about Ino." Shikamaru stated.
"Well.. I think when you get past all the bitchiness and wide mouthiest, she can be a pretty nice girl." Chouji explained to Shikamaru. Shikamaru can kind of agree with that statement, she can be a good person, but that's like once in a blue moon kind of things.
"I guess I just like her.. she can be hot-tempered at times, and annoying to no end.. but she's actually pretty cool; man this whole girl thing is so troublesome.." Shikamaru said. They kept walking towards their destination, when all of a sudden they meet some familiar people. It was Kiba and Hinata. Kiba had his arm wrapped around her, and just like Hinata did when she was around Naruto, she had the bad case of blushes. Kiba was wearing the traditional tux, while Hinata was wearing a silk lavender colored dress. It matched her pretty nicely.
"Oh, it seems like you're not stalking Naruto anymore, eh Hinata?" Chouji said to Hinata with no maliciousness. Hinata nodded for a response.
"No, he's just my friend now.. he was always my friend." Hinata explained to the two.
"I guess that had been the case all along, it was only admiration, but that's the past, right?" Shikamaru asked Hinata.
"Right." Kiba replied.
"Hey, why can't we all walk together to this thing, you do know where this thing is right?" Chouji asked Kiba and Hinata.
"No.. not really." Kiba said.
"Then follow us then, we know the way." Shikamaru said. Kiba and Hinata listened to the other two and followed them the rest of the way to the dance.
Naruto was walking down a hill; the night's sky was absolutely perfect, not a single cloud in the sky. Just pure bright sky with shining stars. You could hear the crickets chirping, it was absolute quietness out here. Naruto didn't like taking the main roads tonight, there was just too much commotion when he walked by there. Naruto then stopped, he heard a disturbance in the trees, he quickly pulled out a kunai blade.
"Who's there?!" Naruto yelled quietly. His mind was telling him that something was wrong, or was it his overactive imagination.
"Naruto, it's just me." Said the mysterious person. Naruto recognized the voice, he pulled down his weapon. The person revealed himself, it was Garra.
"Garra!" Naruto said with a welcoming voice. When Naruto got closer, he froze and blinked twice. He barely recognized him, mostly because of his eyes. There were no longer any dark circles around his eyes, the reason to that is because when Garra had the one tailed beast inside him, he couldn't fall asleep because it would mean his demon would takeover his body and will ultimately cause utter destruction. But since he had his demon drain out of him by the Akatsuki when he was kidnapped by them, ninety nine point nine percent of time if a Jinchuuriki has his or her demon drained out of them, it will mean instant death, and Garra experienced that, but for only a short time because a great ninja named Chiyo gave her life away to revive him. So Garra is the exception, so this allowed him to finally sleep.
"Woah Garra, I barely recognized you, you look healthier." Naruto said to his friend. Garra smiled weakly. But wait a minute, wasn't Garra the Kazekage? Should he be with bodyguards at every minute?
"Uhm, so what brings you here Garra? And where's the guards?" Naruto asked Garra.
"I came here because of the gala, this dance isn't just only for you guys, it's also for my village as well. And I asked Temari and Kankuro to leave me alone for awhile.. these kind of social events make me uneasy." Garra said with a nervous smile. Naruto also noticed that Garra's appearance wasn't the only thing that has changed about him, he's also more talkative and more emotional.
"Oh, well.. so do you have a date to the dance?" Naruto asked Garra.
"No.. I prefer to be by myself." Garra answered back to Naruto. I guess some things never change, Garra still has that loner mentality about himself.
"Okay whatever suits you.. well I got to be going, are you going?" Naruto asked Garra.
"I have to. Do you know the way?" Garra said to Naruto. Naruto nodded to Garra.
"Follow me." Naruto said as he began to lead the way.
The place where the gala was held was absolutely beautifully built, it was just built last week. Tsunade hired, well more like ordered Yamato to build the structure. I can tell you this, this was no measly cheesy building where high school proms are held. The inside had stairs, marble tiled floor, the works. The place where this thing was held was, alas, on top of Hokage Mountain. People from all walks of life from Konoha and Sunagakure were all coming for this thing. Ninja, non ninja, married, single, just about every type of person was coming. And for the first time anywhere, there was an orchestra who was going to play the music.
When it was opened, the floodgates were opened; suddenly the whole place was filled. Tsunade was surprised, she didn't knew that it would be this successful. But in order for this dance to officially begin, both leaders of the villages had to be present and babble on about this treaty. An half hour past, and still no Garra. But then when it was ten to seven, Naruto and Garra came in, and the whole place went silent because the speech was about to begin. Naruto searched around the place, I guess Sakura wasn't there yet.
"Okay, where to begin.. today we celebrate our 3rd Year anniversary of the forming of the treaty between us." Tsunade began.
"But this is the first time we celebrated this day with a huge event like this, " Garra said as he added on.
And for the next Ten minutes, they kept on talking about the importance of this day, Akatsuki was mentioned, primarily about the recent kidnapping of Garra, and Garra gave this mini speech about how he and the whole village were all grateful and how it would result if Konoha wasn't there to help them out.
"Well, I guess that's that, but before we officially start this gala, we have to have a moment of silence for those who have fallen by the Akatsuki. We will never forget these stupendously skilled ninja and their sacrifice for their sake of their village. We won't forget you Asuma, and especially you; Jirayia." Tsunade minimally choked up when she finished. Everybody was silent, Naruto gritted his teeth at how many skilled ninja was killed by the Akatsuki. Naruto can remember the day when he heard that Jirayia was killed by the Akatsuki. Naruto's still a little sad that Jirayia is gone, he thought his life was over. But he then remembered that he has people now, and eventually got over it.
"Okay then, let the dance begin." Tsunade said. And instantly the orchestra started playing, it was something in the lines of classical music. And then a few seconds later, almost everybody started to dance. Naruto had to get out of the dancing floor just to save himself from the moving couples. It was twenty past seven, and Sakura still haven't showed up. Naruto was sitting in the bleachers, just sipping some of the punch that was provided.
"Hey Naruto." the familiar silver haired Jounin said. Naruto picked up his head, and smiled faintly.
"Hey Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto said in a weak voice.
"What's wrong? It looks like you just got demoted." Kakashi said to his blonde student.
"Sakura-Chan hasn't shown up yet. I wonder what's taking her so long." Naruto said. Kakashi rubbed his chin, and shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't worry too much about it, she probably lost track of time." Kakashi said to reassure the hyper-active blonde.
"I guess you're right sensei. She'll be here." Naruto admitted to Kakashi.
"Of course she wi, holy.. Naruto turn around right now!" Kakashi said to Naruto. Naruto turned around like his sensei told him to, And Naruto's eye's widened like he just got elected to be hokage.
"Oh my god. Sakura-Chan." Naruto said breathlessly.
What Naruto and Kakashi were witnessing is the potential of how pretty a girl can be. Sakura was absolutely positively gorgeous. She was wearing a lightly pink colored strapless dress. The dress showed how womanly she was, it let out her mesmerizing emerald green eyes, she kind of had makeup on, but not too much, the amount was just right. Her hair was the same. The upper part of her dress showed a hint of cleavage, but barely noticeable. Her curves were perfectly aligned with the dress. And the lower part of the dress had that poufy look to it, the whole dress had that wedding look to it, to finish it off, she had one of those silk things that you wrap around your waist. Naruto just definitely loved how she looked tonight.
'She's beautiful..' Ino thought to herself.
'Well, she is my student after all…' Tsunade thought to herself.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go to her Naruto." Kakashi said with a hidden smile. Kakashi broke Naruto out of his mini trance with a tap on the back. Naruto nodded and came to her. Sakura came to him, and hugged him. Naruto and Sakura blushed deeply, the embrace felt so gentle and heart warming. They let go, and stared at each other, still blushing deeply.
"You look so, so beautiful." Naruto said to Sakura with a smile.
"I can say the same about you, you look very handsome." Sakura said as she rubbed Naruto's shoulder.
"My handsomeness doesn't even compare to your prettiness Sakura-Chan." Naruto said. Sakura smiled, and gave a tap on Naruto's arm.
"So, wanna dance?" Naruto asked Sakura. Sakura nodded, and gave Naruto her hand.
"Of course." Sakura said. Naruto lifted up her hand and they walked towards the dance floor. As they walked toward the dance floor, Shikamaru and Temari began talking. Although only Temari never thought that these two would ever get this close, Shikamaru can believe it.
"Geez, I never thought Naruto and Sakura would ever get together." Temari said to Shikamaru. Shikamaru shrugged, he's thinking about the same thing about them, but the only difference between them and Naruto and Sakura is Temari not knowing of Shikamaru's feelings.
"Heaven and Earth." Shikamaru said.
"Come again?" Temari said.
"That's what Naruto and Sakura's relationship is. Let me explain, Naruto is the Earth… he has the strength, stability, and protection that Sakura needs; while Sakura is Heaven… she has the intelligence, knowledge, and care that Naruto needs. They all have what the other needs. If Heaven and Earth form together as one, it will be the ultimate balance." Shikamaru wisely spoke. Out of all the things that come out of Shikamaru's mouth, this has to be the most touching. It touched Temari's heart.
"You are such a bookworm." Temari playfully said to Shikamaru.
"Well, it's true." Shikamaru said to the hot headed Temari.
"Okay, if you're such an expert on this whole Heaven and Earth thing, then… why don't you examine our strengths and weaknesses?" Temari said. That was obviously an invitation to try to woo her. Shikamaru swallowed hard a bit, and blushed a little.
"Well.. you're strong, I'm not. I'm smart, you're not. Well, you have better leadership skills than I do, and what else.. you have a strong heart, I don't. And," Shikamaru said as he got interrupted by Temari kissed him chastely. For a brief moment, it felt like a new world to him, it felt like he died a moment and was in heaven. Temari intimately smiled at the nerdy Shikamaru.
"Where did that come from?" Shikamaru asked Temari.
"From my strong heart, idiot. Sometimes I think you are the biggest nerd on Earth, and lazy as lazy can be. But, you're the sweetest laziest nerd I've ever met. I.. I've fallen in love with you." Temari said as she confessed her feelings for Shikamaru. Shikamaru smiled goofily.
"What is it Shikamaru-Kun?" Temari asked.
"I feel the same way about you. I've fallen for you as well." Shikamaru said to Temari.
"What? No dramatic confession?" Temari asked.
"C'mon Temari-Chan, you know I do things half assed." Shikamaru said with a half assed smile. Temari gently embraced him, and stayed like that while they dance with each other.
Yamato was hiding in the bushes near the Konoha exit, doing what Tsunade told him to. Nothing suspicious yet, Sai was just being Sai for the moment being. Roots have always been a problem for Konoha ever since Danzou has been sworn in office as their leader. Danzou was everything Konoha was against for, he hated the will of fire, he despised treaties, and most of all; he hated the government that was in any village in the land of fire. He always had one goal in mind, and it was broken into parts. First, it was to rule Konoha and changed it into a dictatorship run government, and then wage war into the other villages and take them over, basically he wants to rule the whole land of fire. Then when that happens, he wants Akatsuki gone forever by waging a war with them. Basically Danzou is a war monger. He'll keep doing this until the whole world bows down to his power.
Since Konoha has no evidence of any wrong doing by Danzou, they can't arrest him or even impeach him. But tonight, if the reports are true about Roots betraying Konoha, they will finally have the evidence to lock him up for good or hang him. Yamato stares at Sai while hidden in the bushes, he sees something that he has never seen Sai do; doubt and guilt. Yamato knows why Sai is feeling now, he can relate because he himself has been in Roots before, he had to do stuff that challenged his beliefs, killing innocent people, and fighting pointless battles. Yamato has seen for the past few months a change in Sai, he has shown emotions, and perhaps rebellion, but not seeable with the naked eye unless you have been with Roots, or Anbu in that matter.
But then suddenly Sai walked up towards Yamato's direction, has Sai noticed Yamato? Was Sai going to kill Yamato? Then suddenly Sai stopped in Yamato's spot.
"Yamato-taichou, why are you here?" Sai asked Yamato.
"Sai, I can't lie to you. I'm here to stop your plans. I know Roots is going to betray Konoha tonight. Do you even know the consequences of your actions right now?" Yamato said to Sai. Sai still stared at Yamato emotionless.
"I have to follow orders, if I don't, I die." Sai said nonchalant to Yamato. Yamato was shocked, never in his days in Roots has he heard if anyone didn't follow orders they will be killed immediately. Roots have indeed being taken over by Danzou's ideals.
"Is this true, I mean about killing you if you don't follow orders?" Yamato said to Sai.
"It's no lie, and to tell you the truth, I'm supposed to kill anybody if they get in our way." Sai said coldly as he pulled out his sword. He was ready to strike at Yamato, but then all of a sudden he starts to hesitate.
"Then how come you aren't doing that right now?" Yamato asked Sai. Sai's eyes changed right then when Yamato said that.
"I.. don't know." Sai said to Yamato.
"I know. You don't want to do this; you want a life outside of Roots. I've seen it when you interact with Naruto and Sakura. You don't want to kill anymore, and I see it in your eyes right now." Yamato said to Sai. Sai started to shake, he then drops the sword. He started to shed tears, all of the years that he held in his sorrow was now coming out.
"Sai, why did you join in the first place, is it because of your brother's death. Listen Sai, death is a part of life, and we all have to deal with it at some point in our life's, and you can't escape it. Because it will only come back and haunt you. You must deal with it and move on. And joining Roots is the worst thing you can do in these kind of situations. And your brother would never wanted you to join Roots, he would've wanted you to live a life of your own." Yamato said to Sai.
"You're right, this is not right, but.."
"No buts. It's time to cut your ties with Roots and help Konoha withhold Akatsuki and Roots. Because you know what they want, didn't Danzou tell you what Akatsuki wants?" Yamato asked Sai.
"They want Naruto-San." Sai said.
"And they are coming tonight?" Yamato asked Sai.
"Yes. Actually another team is coming as well.. In fact they just entered the village." Sai said to Yamato.
"We must tell Tsunade this right now!" Yamato said to Sai.
"YAMATO WATCH OUT!!" Sai yelled at Yamato.
"Wh,"
"Are you having a good time Sakura-Chan?" Naruto asked as he twirled her slowly. Sakura replied with a smile.
"Of course, you are such a good dancer Naruto-Kun." Sakura said as she blushed when she added the Kun. Naruto quirked his eyebrows.
'That's new.. she called me Naruto-Kun.' Naruto thought to himself. The music changed from it's fast beat to a slower beat. Everybody started to dance slower. Sakura then got closer to Naruto, she was so close to him that their bodies were touching each other. Naruto's heartbeat started to fasten, and his face as red as a tomato.
"Naruto, do know what to do next?" Sakura asked Naruto. Naruto nodded yes, he knew how to slow dance… but;
"Of course, but I'm too nervous to touch you there like that." Naruto replied to Sakura. Sakura intimately smiled at the shy blonde.
"It's okay, I won't hit you. Just not get too perverted with it." Sakura said with a small giggle. Naruto then slowly put his hands and locked them on Sakura's lower back, as Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck. And so movement began, as the two of them move in perfect symmetry, they stared deeply at each other. When the music was about to hit its midway point, Naruto and Sakura move their dancing outside. The music was still hearable, but that didn't matter because they can hear the beauty of their own music by their majestic dancing.
"Sakura-Chan, I…" Naruto stuttered.
"What is it Naruto?" Sakura replied.
"Can I ask you something?" Naruto asked her.
"You can ask me anything, what is it?" Sakura said in a sweet, heavenly voice.
"I need to know something, am I rebound?" Naruto said with a tear. Sakura was shocked when Naruto said that.
"No. Why are you asking me this?" Sakura said in a concern voice.
"It's just that this whole relationship just suddenly happened when Sasuke is gone, for some reason I feel like a rebound for you." Naruto said. Sakura released her hold on Naruto, and looked at Naruto's sad blue oceanic eyes with her hurt emerald green eyes.
"Look at me, I don't like Sasuke anymore. I was a selfish girl back then. I didn't know what love was. When Sasuke left, I thought that it was the end of the world, but then the most unexpected person came to my side, it was you. I realized that I don't need Sasuke if I have you. But my point is that you are not my rebound, you may have been in the past, but not now or never again. Understand Naruto?" Sakura said to the confused Naruto. Naruto eye's widened and he smiled at Sakura.
"Thank you Sakura-Chan, I do understand." Naruto said to the nicest girl in the planet in Naruto's eyes. Sakura embraced Naruto with all her care and love for him. Naruto returned the hug. Sakura now knew that Naruto needs her, and the same goes for her as well. She almost forgot about that promise she made for him, she needed to finish what she started to say yesterday, she was all ready to tell him that she loved him, but unfortunately the knuckle head fell asleep on her. But now she's ready, the time has come.
"Naruto-Kun, I've been lying to myself for all this time, since when you were gone I started to view as more than a friend… I'm sorry, I should've realized it sooner, Sasuke never loved me, I was such an idiot. But now I know, you were always there for me, through the good times and the bad times, you saved my life, and you were always my friend. Now I realized; that I love you with all my heart." Sakura said with all her heart and soul, she was crying for joy to the point of bloodshot eyes. Naruto smiled and he himself was kind of crying for joy.
"I love you too with all my heart, I've always did Sakura-Chan." Naruto said sweetly to his love. Sakura semi-released Naruto from her embrace, and now was very close to Naruto's face, Naruto could feel the heat from her breathing and vice-versa for her.
They were only centimeters from their lips coming in each other, they both closed their eyes, both of them blushing dark shades of red. Then it happened; their lips met in complete harmony, their lips were moving ever so passionately, each of them giving it all they got. For a few minutes they were in complete bliss, neither one didn't wanted it end, it was the happiest and the most overdue moment in both of their life's, the gap between Naruto's Earth and Sakura's Heaven was now gone, their unity was now so strong that no god nor lord could demolish Naruto's and Sakura's bond. Finally after all the heartbreak and all the good times they spend together, they finally found happiness that was by them this whole time; that happiness is their love for each other.
-End Of Chapter 9-
