Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Italics = thoughts/flashbacks
Sakura (20) = present Sakura
Sakura (13) = past Sakura
Sasuke (20) = present Sasuke
Sasuke (13) = past Sasuke
Tsunade(past) = past Tsunade
Tsunade(present) = present Tsunade
First Person POV- Sakura (20)
After younger Sakura and younger Sasuke came back, we started traveling once again. I couldn't help, but notice the blushing younger Sakura and smirking younger Sasuke when they came back. Something good probably happened during their trip. I can't wait to probe. Even now, I see younger Sakura give younger Sasuke shy glances and blush every time he catches her eye. Although younger Sasuke tries to hide it, I can see the smirks forming every time the blushing girl averts her eyes. Younger Sakura had also given effort to hide her blushes; however, I think—no—I know that younger Sasuke sees it.
They are so cute!
I was so busy in thought that I didn't notice a smile form on my mouth until Sasuke asked, "Why are you smiling for?"
"Because you're beside me forever and always," I told him as my smile grew.
He laughed his real laugh that I always hear, but others little to none does.
He replied, "As much as I like to hear that, what's the real reason?"
"I already told you," I stated, slipping my hands into his.
Sasuke gave me the 'I know you're lying' look before I glanced in another direction laughing.
"Look," I whispered to him.
Sasuke gave me a confused expression telling me that he didn't understand where I was getting at.
I continued, "Behind you."
He turned around right at the time where younger Sakura and younger Sasuke's eyes met. Younger Sakura flicked her eyes in the opposite direction blushing, while a smirk formed in younger Sasuke's lips. Younger Sasuke wasn't the only one who was smirking now; my fiancé also formed one after observing the younger two.
"I think it's starting," I told him, a smile still held my face. "Wait, no."
Sasuke held a confused look once again.
"I think it already did," I told him. "Way before today."
He smirked—knowing what I was talking about and replied, "Agreed."
First Person POV- Sakura (13)
"Let's make camp here," Kakashi-sensei, who had been quiet during this whole mission due to his favorite novels, announced.
I had forgotten all about him. Sure he traveled with us, but he always stayed in the back. Older Sasuke nodded and we stopped the travel.
"This is our last camp," Kakashi-sensei stated. "It will only take half the day tomorrow to get there. So sleep well tonight everyone."
"Yeah right Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said to him. "Even if you say that, you yourself won't even follow it. Instead of sleeping, you're probably going to read your boring books that pervy sage wrote. I don't know what you see in them."
Kakashi-sensei replied saying, "You'll learn when you're an adult how entertaining these books really are."
"Uh huh. Sure," Naruto sarcastically replied. "Like I'd ever."
"Just keep saying that kid. You'll regret it someday."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep now."
Naruto laid down next to the fire and shut his eyes. I followed also laying next to the fire. I saw Sasuke deep in thought before coming back into reality. He looked at the trees and then at everyone beside the fire. It seemed like he was trying to decide where to sleep tonight. To my surprise, Sasuke didn't go next to a tree to sleep like he had last time; however, he slept next to the fire right next to me. I don't know if I should scream in excitement or blush at his choice. Whichever, I'm glad.
First Person POV- Sasuke (13)
Throughout the trip, I kept catching Sakura sneak peeks at me. I couldn't help but smirk at her.
It was too cute.
Again with the word cute. I have to stop that. Sasuke Uchiha never compliments a girl that way for girls had always annoyed me. They were always to clingy and talks to much. So annoying. Even though Sakura was like that sometimes, I couldn't help but think that she's something different. Something—I have no idea what—makes her feel special from all the other girls out there. Something that made me feel something towards a girl that I had never felt before. I shook my head in frustration. I need to stop these feelings—even though I know it's too late, it couldn't hurt to try.
My inner self replied, "Are you sure it wouldn't hurt?"
Why would it?
My inner self sighed in disappointment, "Those things you've been feeling lately around Sakura. It's called your feelings."
I scoffed.
Of course they're my feelings. What else would they be?
"There not just any feelings Sasuke, they're the feelings that are starting to bloom for her. Not just normal friendship feelings, but feelings of like between a boy and a girl which might even lead to love."
I started to feel annoyed.
Yeah, right. Would you mind shutting up?
"Don't deny it Sasuke. It might end up hurting the girl. Not only her, but also yourself."
Hurting Sakura I get. She already confessed—twice to be exact. But myself? That I didn't quite get.
I shook my head as reality seeped in once again. I watched as everyone started toward the fire that was made after we decided to camp here. I shivered once again as a breeze pass by. As much as I want stay as far away from Sakura to get rid of these feelings, I couldn't tonight. It was definitely too cold. I looked at the fire at which everyone was surrounding.
Where could I sleep?
A shiver passed through my body once again.
Some place warm. But where exactly?
All sides around the fire had already been taken. I guess I will have to sleep next to someone. Naruto is a definite no. With all that snoring, who could ever sleep? Kakashi-sensei…I think not. If Naruto's statement about how he reads those…books of his all night was correct, then what better would I sleep if he explains and tells me all about it all night long? I don't want to sleep next older Sakura or older Sasuke since I don't want to be looking at their intimate sleeping positions all night if I get no sleep. I don't want to ruin their time together either.
My inner self spoke once again, "Yeah. Imagine yourself all grown up. Imagine if you ruined their time together and you get all pissed. Wow…how mad you will be…I don't even want to know."
I could feel my inner self smirk. "I guess that only leaves one more person."
Sakura.
I walked next to the position at which she slept. These strange feelings were starting to come up again. I don't know why, but I somehow felt nervous as I walked closer and lay down. I could imagine a blushing Sakura fretting when she noticed that I had lain next to her. I couldn't help, but form a smirk.
Stop.
I commanded myself to gain my neutral expression once again.
Turn around Sasuke. Just turn around. That way, you can act like she's not next to you because you can't see her.
I turned the opposite direction and stared at the trees. However, I could still feel these strange feelings. A shiver went through me from the cold once again.
I'm still too far from the fire.
I turned back around to see Sakura sound asleep and then looked at the rest of the members I was traveling with. They, too, had fallen asleep.
I guess it couldn't hurt to scoot a little closer. We are a bit farther apart than necessary.
I did not know how, but I, eventually, feel into deep slumber. I guess all that thinking and frustration really made me tired.
I noticed that it was morning from the sun that was shining down at me wanting to seep into my eyes. However, I did not budge. I just lay there—wanting to sleep even more. To the contrary, that was not fulfilled. A gasp was heard before I unwillingly pried my eyes open. My dark eyes meet emerald.
"Uh…um. Sa…Sa…Sas…uke?" Sakura stuttered.
It took me a moment to register why she was reacting this way before I noticed her in my embrace. She was looking up at me for her head was against my chest and my chin slightly above her head. She was blushing furiously—trying not to meet my eyes. I tried to suppress it, but I also had a little blush of my own on my usually neutral expression.
Thanks for reading the 27th chapter of "Strength of Love".
Hoped that was entertaining.
Well, I wonder what will happen next.
Please review. I appreciate it. =)
