Haha, updating on the second day. How sad. UU It truly is boring here. Anyways, this chapter may confuse some of you, but rest assured, that is completely normal. I also notice that's its also somewhat NaruHina too, hehe. Not that I'm complaining really, I luv them too- Oh yes, I forgot this in the first chapter....
Disclaimer: I...don't...own...Na...Ru...To
Okay..enjoy
Try Again
Chapter 2- Avoidance
"...........You're...annoying..." he bluntly stated, emotionless eyes glared at her, seemingly unaffected by her confession.
Her eyes widened as tears streamed down the side of her face. He saw her eyes furrow together and her mouth try to form words to his statement. Before she could speak, he jumped to the nearest rooftop, leaving her alone on the street.
"SASUKE-KUN!!!!"
------------------------------------------------
That was the last time he saw Sakura, the last person he saw and talked to before he left. To tell the truth, even though he had already known how she felt, he was still shocked by her sudden confession. Sitting by a pond, he threw a small pebble at his reflection and laid his head on his knees. It wasn't the first time he had told her she was annoying, but the look in her eyes caused unwanted guilt to arise within him. He wanted to apologize to her, but he couldn't...his pride wouldn't let him and also...because of what Naruto had said yesterday...
------------------------------------------------
"I know it's hard, Sasuke. Facing up to Sakura now, but dontcha think you owe her more than just a simple explanation."
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.
"I mean...what you said to her before you left that night..." Naruto responded cautiously. He didn't want Sasuke to blow a fuse for thinking he had probed too far.
".....She told you?" He wasn't surprised, Sakura wasn't one to hold her emotions in.
"Well...not the whole story. She never told us what you said to her. She just came back crying and screaming about being useless and a bother to everyone." Naruto continued.
"Oh..." he responded shortly, inwardly thankful that she didn't tell much.
Naruto could tell he was putting Sasuke in an awkward position. He was happy his friend had finally returned, he wanted things to be the same again, but something told him his effort would be in vain. Things weren't the same.
"How...is everyone?" Sasuke asked, breaking the silence, hoping to change the subject. He said it in a way to make it seem like he didn't care, but Naruto knew otherwise.
"Oh. Well, I'm a Jounin now, teaching with Kakashi and training the younger Shinobi. A year or two after you left, the other teams went their separate ways. Shikamaru is still as lazy as ever, he and Ino were now in an odd relationship where the only thing they do is fight." Naruto began.
"Jounin ka....I'm surprised Naruto." Sasuke smirked.
Pretending to ignore him, Naruto continued, "Chouji now owns a BBQ restaurant. Neji, captain of the ANBU squad. Lee trains under-privileged children in the academy. TenTen owns a popular weapons refinery shop while Shino works with his father. Kiba and Akamaru work at the hospital with Hinata." Slightly out of breath and at the mention of Hinata's name, Naruto blushed and smiled a quirky smile that earned him a curious glare from Sasuke.
"...And Sakura...?" Sasuke slowly asked. He looked away, pretending to admire the forest.
Surprised Sasuke would ask that even after trying to change the subject, Naruto quietly answered,"She's currently working with Tsunade-sama, passing out missions, handling paperwork. She still trains hard though, gotten stronger, and also......"
Sasuke noticed his break in the sentence and looked back at him. Naruto's eyes had widened in registered shock as if he had seen a ghost. Sasuke cocked his head slightly, wondering what the hell was wrong with him.
"Naruto?"
Suddenly, Naruto bolted in front of Sasuke and grabbed him hard by the shoulders.
"Naruto, what the hell..." Sasuke started angrily.
"Sasuke!....I can't explain this now...but do me a favor...whatever you do, DON'T see Sakura. At least not right now..." Naruto quickly said.
"What? But you just said..." Confusion played on Sasuke's face.
"Forget what I said...Just do me this favor...if you see her, just turn the other way. Don't let her know that you're back!" Naruto pleaded anxiously.
Sasuke didn't know what to say. He had never seen Naruto act this way and it puzzled him that he would ask one thing, then ask the complete opposite the next. Whatever the hell it was though, it seemed extremely important to Naruto.
"....Alright..." Sasuke answered, still confused about this whole scene.
Naruto closed his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks Sasuke..."
Taking his hands off Sasuke's shoulders, Naruto smiled.
"You've changed a bit, you never used to listen to what I had to say." Naruto grinned.
"That was when you were a reckless brat that needed discipline." Sasuke stated coolly, reverting back from the confused state he was in.
Naruto's grin quickly became a frown.
"Hmmph, if I wasn't low on time, I'd retaliate with a witty comment, but I have a date in less than an hour." Naruto stated matter-of-factly.
Sasuke raised a surprised brow. "A date?"
Blushing, Naruto quickly added, "If you need anything, I'll be at the academy. You can find me there. Ja, Sasuke!"
At that, Naruto jumped into the trees, but not before looking back and mouthing, "Don't forget your promise, Sasuke!" as he disappeared into the forest.
"Aaa...." Was all Sasuke could say before becoming confused again. What the hell was that just now?
------------------------------------------------
Jumping from branch to branch, Naruto felt bad for leaving Sasuke so utterly clueless. But he had no other choice. He remembered the days after Sasuke had left, Sakura had been reduced to a sulking lump of flesh. Everyday, Naruto would visit her, and every time he did, she seemed to get better. Until that day...
------------------------------------------------
A knock came from her door
"Come in" Sakura answered.
Yellow hair poked through the door, followed by a cheesy grin.
"Sakura-chan! I brought you some ramen!" a young Naruto beamed.
"I'm not that hungry, but thanks, Naruto." She smiled.
"Ano sa, Ano sa, you wouldn't guess what happened today. Kakashi-sensei and I were walking and I saw this HUGE pile of dog crap lying on the road. Luckily, I was able to dodge it, but guess who stepped on it! Kakashi- sen....." he never got to finish his story as Sakura interrupted him.
"You know, Naruto, you don't have to try make me feel better, I'm doing fine. You bring me food everyday, how could I not be fine." She stated.
"I know, but I just wanna make sure..." Naruto blushed. "And besides, even though you may not act like it, you're still thinking about Sasuke..." at that moment, he quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide with regret.
"......Sasuke...." Sakura replied quietly. Her head was low and her bangs covered her eyes.
"Mmmmph?" Naruto replied behind his hands as he blinked continuously.
"....I hate him...."
------------------------------------------------
Thinking of that day, Naruto shivered, remembering the tone of her voice. The way she said those words so nonchalantly sent chills up his spine. What was he thinking telling Sasuke to talk to her? Why didn't he think about the damage that could be inflicted if they were to meet. He had to admit though, that Sakura really did change. She had transformed from a loud and giddy girl into a composed and mature woman. Despite all that, however, as one of her best friends, Naruto still had remaining doubts that her heart had completely healed. But also as one of her best friends, part of him believed that it might actually be, due to...
Checking the time, Naruto quickened the pace. He had less than an hour to have dinner with Hinata and he wasn't planning on being late, especially not tonight. Patting his zipped front pocket, he made sure it was still there. Feeling the outline of the tiny box through the fabric, he smiled and continued to his apartment.
TO BE CONTINUED
------------------------------------------------
A/N: Hmmm....I was thinking of adding more and continuing on before ending it there, but...Drowsy eyes and suppressed yawns are getting the best of me. I hope you found that chapter somewhat entertaining. If not, sorry ; I don't feel like picking up the pace JUST yet. Hehe. R&R plz, it would help a bunch =) Take care!