Chapter Twelve: Sad Parting of Two Hearts…  L

Sasuke let her go. He looked at her face. Pathetic, is all he could say. Does that mean he too is a pathetic being? He clutched his fist and shook his head vehemently. We won't be that pathetic…

"But I wouldn't want that to happen." He said and tried his best to make a happy smile. "In case you still changed, I am always here for you. Happy birthday, my princess…"

He knelt before her presence and also bowed down, and offered he small box.

"Kuso yo! Sasuke-kun! Why do you always want me to cry for you!" she shouted, and then turned to his gift. Revealing the box's content, she smiled widely and look at it.

"Like it?"

"Of course…" she didn't hesitate to look at him dearly. He took it from her and placed the ring in her finger.

With several hand movements, he left her using a jutsu sadly, and leaving her crying… his reminiscent lingers beside her as she stares at the glittering ring in her hand. The diamond emits off a brilliant rainbow-colored streak that caught her attention.

"Nee! Where would she probably run?" Naruto cried "Ano! She is just around here!"

"Find her! Find her…" Anko's voice dropped as Kakashi carried his drunken girlfriend away the area.

"Yo, Naruto-kun, I'll take her home, Ja!" he said and disappeared into the thin air.

Sakura arrived at the palace, and arranged herself. Her eyes still swell somehow as she clears on her eyesight, seeing Naruto and Hinata. They were glad to see her once more, and then she told them that Sasuke-kun just visited her, and they said their farewells to each other.

"He even gave me this, this expensive jewelry he bought as a gift…" she replied and showed them the ring.

"Oh--- that is beautiful!" Hinata exclaimed as she stares at its glitter.

"I wouldn't think the bastard will give---" he pause in the mid-sentence for her eyes are glaring again.

"GOMEN!" he said excitedly. "Nice piece, I should say… it might be some sort of engagement ring or something for you to keep."

"But we weren't engaged… we weren't even together--- everything isn't for us, we parted already… I just wish he finds another girl to make him happy. I also want him to erase me in his life and heart…" she replied solemnly.

"Ano ne…" Hinata said "it would be so hard for Uchiha-san… I think, isn't it, Naruto-kun?"

"Hai… itamu mashite." Naruto even added, "One time I helped him out in eating his meal. He really needs a special eating buddy like me!"

"Dobe!" Sakura shouted "You only get into the situation for food?"

"Iie! I also help him in sleeping. I told him once to count sheep, but it seems not to affect him much. His concentration is real better… well, I think he has insomnia already."

"That made me more worry…"

"We'll take care of him for you, hime-sama…" Naruto said. "Trust me---"

"Hinata-chan, I count on you to watch him with Anko-san…"

"She doesn't trust me!" he thought…

I now lost the most important person to me as for now. I don't know on where to start my life again in zero, but at least I have tasted life to it's fullest during the days she'd be there and cared for me. I don't know if I'd be able to love any girl other than her… though I've met dozens of girls. She's different among all. Most especially when we have times together, she can only make my mood change out of a sudden. She means everything to me. My once lifeless soul become alive and active, through her smiles and all---- Sakura became the essential part of my life. It's as if now I want to vanish…

No, not yet. Revenge will be next to my plans. I should find my damn brother and fight him as I've promised. I've failed before when I was young and now will be the right time. I  got almost everything but I'm here to ponder about love life, I already forgot about my main goal in life which I have struggled for. Is this where all my efforts end? Why does it always need to be related in loosing someone dear to me? Doushite… this words scramble in my aching head…

--

Is this the end? I've dreamed of my prince charming since I was young, believing that they come out when you're a lady. In my case I've  found him. He has the strength to release me from the tower they've kept me--- I once met him in a forest but now I am back to imprisonment. He was to save me this night, but the poor princess lost her faith. She is now destined to be baited to the monster--- how she actually hated it. The beast is good and kind, but even though he's there to release me from the imprisonment I still can't find time to learn to love him.

I've got many things I should be thankful for, and one dear thing to be sorry of. I and my prince can't be together. We've done through trying times, but still we can't. In few days I shall be different. But of course never will I forget the true essence of my lonely life--- the man where I got all inspiration and experiences… he will still be the prince I am waiting for. Is this all? Shall I just dream on? What if I woke up from the daze and see the real life that is ahead? I can't run from it now… am I just stuck here?

"This is life: cruel, lonely and unsympathetic. Stuck forever with it means something like death for me…" Sakura told herself.

Through a forest of thorns, we've come walking.

For the rose to which our hearts seek.

Protect the love which lives nobly,

And cultivate the dreams of fleeting flowers.

"Tomorrow Will Be a Better day", I whisper many times,

And rain upon you, today's last prayer.

On the night when even sorrows sleep,

I'll be a fire by your side.

Within a seed's wish, give strength

Until the day tears become a rainbow.

"Tomorrow will be a better day", my heart prays,

Loving the time we are with each other.

May all livings things be happy.

Reminiscing is all she almost does all day, with some visits from her friends, and catching cherry blossoms is what they usually do. They use jutsus to do it and within 10 seconds you must have as many as you can. This idea from Naruto made Sakura almost forget everything. But blossoms remind her of Sasuke-kun's innocent face. She would just stop and then tell everyone she's okay.

At the Uchiha mansion, Sasuke does some things Naruto insisted, for them to play a kunai throwing game. Sasuke found it boring with Naruto for he can't hit any of the targets. Hinata is good there too, and when Anko joins, it will be the wackiest ever. It was all Naruto's efforts to keep the couple's company while they are lonely and feeling sentimental. They still can't help their feelings though.

"How is she?" Sasuke asked Naruto suddenly.

"She? You mean hime-sama?"

"Who else, dobe…" he said coldly "How's her doings? Is she alright?"

"Still full of reminiscing the past and so on… she can't help but cry, 'y know the past happenings between the two of you mattered to her." He continued. "Sakura Hime-sama seems less vigorous nowadays. I also ate her meals once she didn't again."

"Taking advantage, should I say?" Sasuke mocked.

"Food there is really rare!" Naruto explained, "And tastes really good than Icharaku's Ramen!"

"…Look, I've been trying my best to deal with two lovesick and make them forget. But what do I get?"

"Gomen," he replied without emotion and went off.

"Nee! Don't tell me you'll gonna lock in your room again?" he asked "so I'll be eating your dinner!"

"Tell them I want it served on my bed." He replied and then smirked.

"He really mocks me!" Naruto complained and looked down…

Sasuke stayed at his room again, and sitting by the window. He had himself comfortably looking up the darkening skies that soon turn dark bluish, then he sighed and then pitied his self. He isn't that usually affected by anything besides his parents' and clan's loss--- but the break-up should I say meant more to him. A mere girl, he recalled some of his girl classmates telling about something when they were young at the ninja academy… about a certain girl they pity not entering the academy--- but still studies…

"Well… she's not lucky even though. She didn't meet the cutest guy around Konoha!" one blonde exclaimed.

"But what sensei had told is too awful." Another blurted "she'll probably miss out friends and everything."

"I am even glad that another girl is minus Sasuke's fans!" they added.

Sasuke sneered, in hearing those. In the age of ten, many girls like his strong attitude and will power. He usually runs after them and likes to be alone. He thought of their words.

"Would that be possible?" he thought to himself as like a child really is curious. "Well if I met her, will she be some kind of loner too?"

Sasuke snickered at his childish questioning. He met her already. Way different of what he thinks she is. But fate really worked itself out for them to actually meet. What fate did is crossed their paths, and made its way to divide the track they were taking--- making them apart.

Sakura stood at the garden for about an hour, dazing and everything she's just wondering of. Rock Lee came into her and then destroyed this certain daze--- on which she took unnecessary that he did. She looked at him with ever sad emerald green eyes, and then asked about his coming there…

"I just wanna check your condition…" he replied. He saw the ring on her finger. He didn't hesitate to hide that he's jealous and then knew it was from the Hokage.

"…Tell me what I should be so that you'll love me as you love the Hokage…"

"Eh? What do you mean?" blush is forming all over her pale face, making it rosy pink.

"Don't deny--- I can see it in your reaction."

"He--- he had just lured me ever since we met…" she said "he is different among boys I know--- his hidden emotions made it more romantic. His black eyes that seems so cold but really felt so warm… his raven wisps of hair which seems to dance with the wind…"

"Yameru--- I heard enough…" he said and left her. All he felt is some sort of pain that struck him when she mentioned everything--- he's too far from his charm, which is really true… how can she be able to forget him having tons of memories with him…

"Can I take you home?" Naruto asked Hinata.

"Naruto-kun, thanks… we've done it. I knew my oniichan cares for me too--- so we shouldn't or else he'll be killing you…"

"So you are really concerned," he said "well Hinata-chan I don't care even if he cuts my throat now."

"Naruto-kun…!" she was flushed by what he said. "The night we pretended to have dated--- the whole set-up… is it…"

"Hai. Very well done, I was really shy of you, so I made the whole thing up. You know I have good ideas when it comes to alibis… something like that… hehe…!" he scratched the back of his head. "I actually like you a lot, Hinata.. You know I knew that since we are at the Chuunin exams… but I was scared."

"Naruto-kun," she went to him closer… "I also like--- you…"

One moment they just knew that they are kissing. Naruto didn't seized every moment they spent that night, how they watched the moon together and holding hands… how it is so nice that feelings are actually outspoken.

"I now understand why Sasuke made it a very big deal---" Naruto thought to himself as he cradled Hinata to his arms.

Sasuke took few steps away his mansion, he's quite sleepy now. But then a specific chakra he felt--- made him quickly awaken from a doze…

"Could it be---- him…?" he said to himself as he looked at his surroundings carefully.

That chakra seems to be the one he had hated for a long time--- it's now coming back… is it time  for his revenge?

A/N: Another song here--- Fushigi Yuugi OVA ending theme, Ashita wa Ii hi ni Naru-- Tomorrow will be a better day… I like its meaning and tune, so I want to put it here. The Naru Hina coupling worked here now… hehe and I made them sappy… I think. REVIEWS please! AND WATCH OUT for the LAST CHAPTER!!!