Remember when I said the theme where I was going to officially make these two a couple in my twisted little world, was not until later? Well, apparently it bit me in the butt and decided it was suddenly number ten and not number fifteen like I had originally concluded. So now, you have this theme, where yes, Naruto and Sakura are now a couple.

Here's where my twisted little world comes in play. At the start of this theme, they're already going out. I just make it appear as if they're just on an unofficial date. How Naruto actually got the guts to ask Sakura to be his 'lover' :P won't be revealed until the next theme.

You'll see how it works out. Trust me, I wouldn't have screwed up the number on this theme if I hadn't been too busy making two themes work together like a two-shot.

Now, go on and read this little snippet of a theme, and I hope you enjoy. Theme eleven will be posted as soon as I can. My town might be in the path of Hurricane Ike, so I might lose connection. I hope I don't though.

Disclaimer: I'm not the owner of Naruto, nor do I want it. :D

"Let me enjoy this air you call love."

Theme 10: Breathe Again

She was so thrilled at this exact moment, she doubted she'd ever feel such a strong sense of immense joy and relief in her life again.

She ignored the indignant gasps, and rude calls and yells the villagers were sending her as she ran through a large crowd of them.

Her light pink kimono seemed to flow along with her as she pushed her legs as fast as they could go in such formal wear.

The cute red cherry-shaped hairpins she had been wearing earlier were now missing from her loose bun. Strands of pink hair fluttered across her vision and landed ungracefully on her face.

Her green eyes shined with hope and despair all at once, and her smile was wide and genuine.

A large tightly sealed bag was being gripped tightly by her small yet strong hands. The smell of freshly cooked ramen wafted into her nose as she ran past another concession stand.

She was at the yearly spring festival. She had gone with Naruto after he had begged her for over an hour to join him as his date.

Things had gone well, exceptionally well. They had tried almost every sweet-smelling food that caught her nose's attention. Naruto had even caught three goldfish for her, though he had an understandable hate of fish nets now. And had each bought themselves the coolest looking, beautifully decorated, tantos they had ever seen.

The situation had gone sour though, when she had said an offending comment, and he in his anger, had turned and spoke harshly back at her.

It was just a silly stuffed brown purple-eyed teddy bear. She really shouldn't have overreacted. She did though, and had called him weak and useless in her sudden and random tantrum. She could have easily done it herself, and had only let him play the little game to let his 'manly' pride be left intact.

Perhaps that was why she had lashed out at him, for letting him have his 'manly' pride.

In either case, she knew she had hurt his feelings. Especially when a dark look crossed his eyes at her words, and he stood rigidly in front of her.

"At least I'm not a selfish spoiled brat who doesn't seem to get how to grow up sometimes!"

They both went their separate ways after that. She stomped away at his words, and he jogged away, the feelings of betrayal stinging in his chest.

She felt regretful and stupid within the five minutes after they split paths.

He had asked her nicely to the festival, and had even saved up money to buy her little gifts as they checked out the many selling stands. He even had money to buy her dinner. Naruto had really made this feel like a date, and all she had done in return was yell at him.

She was truly stupid and selfish. Just like he had said.

That was why she was running through the large crowd of villagers. She held in her hand the largest bowl of ramen she could find, she had bought it using the money she had brought, hoping to have used it to buy another pretty kimono. This was a much better use of her money though, most definitely.

Her green eyes watched ahead of her, hoping to spot a bright blonde head bobbing up and down as it weaved through the tight crowd.

The deep red color of the oriental lamps hanging from the stands seemed to form a lighted path for her as she continued to race across the street. She could feel her feet getting heavier and her kimono beginning to weigh her down as she neared the northern end of the festival.

Her happy look turned to one of deep determination as her hand gripped the bag tighter. She had to find Naruto, she was sure he was still here. She could feel it.

Her running decreased as she left the last sliver of people entering the festival grounds. She bent down slightly as her heavy breathing finally registered in her brain.

Her light pink kimono was now splotched with brown dust, and she was sure there was a tear somewhere in the back. She could feel her pink hair slipping from the loose knot she had placed to hold it in.

Still, all she was worried about was finding Naruto.

Her determined look slowly faded, as her search for her blonde friend was proving futile.

Perhaps she had upset him more than she had originally thought. The idea of that hit her hard as a look of pain crossed her face. He probably didn't even want to talk to her after what she had said.

Her feet lead her to a small wooden bridge, where she let her tired body finally relax as she leaned against the old wood. Her green eyes lost their gleam and she slowly set the bag of uneaten ramen of the ground below.

She let a sigh escape her lips, and she watched her feet move around a lonely pebble.

She had really screwed up this time it seems.

"T-There you are...S-Sakura-chan." at the sound of his breathless whisper, she whipped her head around and stared at him wide-eyed.

His black yukata, outlined with orange, was disheveled and wrinkled in multiple places. As if he had been running for a long period of time. His blonde hair was even more wind-whipped than usual, and he seemed to be shaking from exhaustion.

Her mouth opened to speak out apologies, when her green eyes caught something. A large, brown, purple-eyed teddy bear was held tightly in his grip. Her eyes traveled back up to his face, where he held the most regretful look she's ever seen him have.

"I..." a small blush covered his whiskered cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head. "S-Sakura-chan I wanted...to say sorry and..." his blue eyes saddened as he half smiled. "I spent our dinner money and got you...this."

His hands held the teddy bear loosely as his head was bowed down.

Sakura smiled and let the look of joy and relief return to her face. She grabbed the bag with the bowl of ramen and walked towards the guilty young man.

She could hear his labored breathing as well as her own. It appears he had been doing the same thing she had been doing all along.

Finding a way to apologize for their stupidity.

Her hands gently rose to cover his own, and his blue eyes finally became visible as they made eye contact with her green ones.

"Me too."

She raised up the bag of ramen for him to see. A look of confusion momentarily passed through his face before he understood her words.

His smiled returned and he squeezed the hand that still covered his own.

The two let out a small laugh at the state of dress they were now in. Sakura placed her now released hand against her chest and breathed in deeply.

"I think I can finally breathe again..." She whispered softly as her eyes looked up to the stars the glittered above them.

Naruto gently placed his hands over her own and whispered back. "Yea, I think I can too."

The two walked home that night, hand in hand. As lovers.

Confused? Hope not, if so don't hesistate to ask questions.
End.