Hollow
((A/N: I hope you understand this short one better than I do, XD. Time frame is some time after when Naruto returns, and I'm going to assume in this fic Sasuke doesn't go with him. Thanks again for reading and more so for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Go ahead and party.
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or did you hide your face in the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, a trouble's an ounce
Or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
- A piece of the poem, How Did You Die? by: Edmund Cooke
Hollow
Things were complex at the moment, to say the least.
Sakura decided that doing something simple, like taking a walk with Naruto, would be simple.
It wasn't.
So as they strolled out of the woods, wordless with the complexity that wieghed down their shoulders and clouded their heads, Naruto was naturally the first to mention anything.
It's the bridge... He trailled off, his eyes only able to be compared with the brillant sky that hung above them like a warm blanket. Sakura gave him side long glance, her eyes brightening with the coming to reality, and gave a small gasp when she looked over at the planks of wood over the stream that wasn't supposed to mean much.
But did, anyway.
And it never looked more empty to her.
She agreed, wondering why she was here and why, more importantly, why she was here with Naruto. It was like they were on some date.
Which they weren't.
But the other was blushing everytime he locked eyes with her, in which it was pretty obvious he thought they were.
They continued walking, as if the thuds of their feet would make up for the loss of conversation.
Without speaking, their footsteps became somehow hollow as they reached the peak of the bridge, and with a small sound Naruto hoisted himself unto the red railing that kept a portion of the population from falling into the sparkling river. Such is a river most would admire.
Naruto chose instead to admire Sakura, who placed herself a little bit away from him, but leaned against the railing, different from Naruto because she was facing the river, unlike his back, which was too it. Her face, still a creamy shade even after everything they've been through in the sun, sunk into her arms which crossed against the metal in a rather depressing manner.
His eyes lowered a bit, before he tore his gaze away and looked at the sky absently, only to glance at her again. Why were they here, and together, when she didn't want to say anything?
Do you remember, when we'd all get here to train, or do a mission...? She asked suddenly, softly, which took him off gaurd. He smiled, half of it feigned.
Yeah! And Kakashi-Sensei would always show up way late, and we'd yell at him.
We annoyed Sasuke, everytime... She said again, in that same tone. He went stiff, at first, and forced the thought of Sasuke out of his mind. He had to. He had to, atleast, be strong for Sakura-Chan. He hated how sad she was, how pain was reflected in those eyes every day. He grinned again.
Y-you never annoyed me, Sakura-Chan. Naruto waited for a response, but didn't get one. He stuided her closely - it was effortless. Finally, his already short patience wore thin.
I miss him. She answered bluntly, for the first time looking at him. She picked her head out of her arms, and smiled sadly, the ends of her mouth twitching. Water was rushing over the rocks in the river. She gave a depressing, and distrubing laugh. Isn't that...isn't that funny? M-missing someone when they've...they've...
Naruto, alarmed, slid off the railing, and shook his head, his stomach squeezed by steel.
No...it's not. He told her, quietly, and if anything, made Sakura notice his change of tone. She turned and faced him, her mouth still quivering, tears rimming the edges of her eyes.
She always, secretly, liked his.
I miss him...I need... She repeated, taking a step closer. Too close. Over his heartbeat, raging, he could focus and see each of her eyelashes, surronding her glassy eyes and he just noticed how soft her lips looked.
How he wanted...
But her eyes, they were seeing past him. They weren't seeing him. Not him.
But he...
His own lip quivered dangerously, with anger towards a certain dark haired person, with compassion towards Sakura, with confusion that wellled inside him like a swollen blister about to burst...
He couldn't hear what she whispered over his pounding heart, if she even said anything at all. He didn't care. He couldn't. He had to be strong for Sakura-Chan. He had to. Because with Sasuke gone...who else could?
His arms, hesitant, raised up a little, so they were even with the space above her hips. But, suddenly, she dashed forward, and kissed him. Hard.
Naruto eyes went wide, and he took a step back, before he accepted and kissed her back, the lip lock awkward but there, his hand finding the curve of her back and holding her closer, despite the mixture of emotions whirling inside him.
Tears streamed down both their cheeks, making her velvet lips taste salty. Sakura tried to not think at all, and especially not of him. Of Sasuke.
And Naruto cried, if just a little, because he knew she was.