I'll try to make this chapter a little longer, to make up for my writer's block. Sorry about that… and I know I'm evil that I left you all in a cliffhanger. Ehehe.
Side Note: This chapter will contain a few snippets from songs that relate to Naru/Saku.
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Chapter 7
"Naruto!"
Sakura looked all around the cave. It was completely empty, except for the lonely fire slowly dying out.
No! He couldn't have…! Where is he? Naruto!!
"Naruto!!" screamed Sakura, and again, she felt tears welling up in her eyes but she managed to hold them in.
"What's wrong, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura quickly turned around and saw none other than Naruto standing at the foot of the cave, wearing a confused expression. He had his hands in his pockets and looked like his childish old self.
"Na…," started Sakura but she never finished. Her feet were carrying her unintentionally towards the blonde-haired ninja. When she reached him, she fell on top of him and couldn't hold in her tears anymore.
"I thought you left me!" exclaimed Sakura, her face buried in Naruto's shoulder.
"W-why'd you think that!?" replied Naruto surprisingly.
Sakura didn't reply but hugged Naruto tighter. After a few moments she let go and quickly wiped her face.
"I'm such a crybaby," she chuckled.
Nobody said anything and Sakura decided on something. She took Naruto's hand and led him out of the cave to a nearby tree. When she let go of his hand, she sat down on the cool grass and leaned on the tree's bark. Naruto sat on the opposite side of the tree and the two of them were looking in the opposite directions.
There was a very long silence between them as they were looking up at the gleaming stars.
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If tomorrow never comes
I would want just one wish
To kiss your quiet mouth
And trace the steps with my finger tips
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"You…," said Sakura breaking the silence. "You always believed in me and stood by my side."
"…"
"Even though I pushed you away and was mean to you… you still acted like nothing happened…"
The wind picked up and ruffled Sakura's hair. She ran her fingers through her hair and rested her hand on the ground.
"You're such a great person, Naruto…"
"!"
Naruto's eyes went wide and he leaned in a few inches. His mouth was slightly open.
"What's that all of a sudden…?"
"Don't you think you are one?" asked Sakura, smiling adoringly at the sky.
"Wh… well, of course I am but… you never said that to me before!" replied Naruto quickly, blushing furiously. "To you… Sasuke was the great person."
A little twinge of guilt formed in Sakura. She wanted to beg him to realize the opposite. Have him understand what she felt in her heart right now and have him know that it was being torn into two different directions.
"Sasuke is my best friend," said Sakura and heard Naruto shift uncomfortably. "But… you Naruto, you are something… much more than that."
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Universe inside of your heart
You gotta let me know so you can be free, baby
You wanted it so much, and now that it's over
You don't know what you want
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"….!!"
Naruto turned around and looked determinedly at Sakura.
"What… what do you mean…?"
"Naruto," said Sakura quietly. She moved closer to him and could perfectly see the blue in his eyes she adored from afar. "Please stay by my side forever…"
Forever…
Never leaving my side…!
Sakura moved even closer to Naruto and she could now feel his breath.
"…forever…"
As Sakura leaned in, she met Naruto's trembling lips.
It felt right…
After a moment, Sakura separated herself and moved a few inches from Naruto's face.
He didn't return it…
Sakura was about to move away when the familiar lips met hers again. Naruto leaned in on her and she slowly started to lower herself backwards. Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck and with one hand, pressed the back of his head closer to herself.
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Cuddle up close
Lay your head on my chest now
Listen my heart beat's coming down
If you get tired, you close your eyes now
……
'Cause I know baby
I know you're the nervous kind
With so much going on in your mind
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It's not over yet! And I know I'm going to get beat up after this for ending you in yet another cliffhanger, and what a cliffhanger it is!
Well, let me know what you think of this chapter!
Side Note: The two songs that I used for this chapter are "It's You" by Michelle Branch and "Universe" by Savage Garden.
PS: The chapter seems short again, doesn't it? I just can't get it right…