-Believe Me, It's True-
Summary: Sasuke has always hid his innermost feelings for as long as he can remember. But at age sixteen, he can't afford to hide those feelings anymore. But what if the one he loves hates him for past misunderstandings? SasuxSaku
Chapter Eight: So Long and Goodnight
Here, at the tranquil village of Konohagakure, the sun loomed overhead signaling that it was now past noon. The villagers were at ease, quiet and resting for the biggest and last day of the star festival…but…not all was quiet…
"Ouch!"
Nami winced in pain as Sakura applied the disinfectant to her arm. She closed her eyes as Sakura dabbed her wound. She kept them closed as the pink-haired teen began to bandage her gash, sending a string of pain as the cloth first touched it.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!" She cried as she still kept her eyes shut. "It hurts!"
"It wouldn't have happened if you weren't such a heroine." Tenten said, watching.
Naruto nodded.
"But what she did to Sanosuke was…"Hinata said
Tenten leaned back in the sofa. She grinned and finished her sentence, "Amazing."
Naruto nodded. They have just heard the story of Sanosuke and the reason to why he was unconscious in the upper guest room. "Eleven solid kicks; maybe you and I should have a round or two…"
Nami smiled and opened one eye, "Maybe we should, Naruto. But I don't want someone like you to get beat up like Sanosuke by someone as small and fragile as me. That would just be so embarrassing!"
The group roared with laughter.
"So anyways," Tenten said, wiping away a tear, "what are we going to do about Mr. Weird?"
They all knew that she was talking about Sanosuke. Sakura tried to say something but Nami interrupted.
"Well, today's the last day and all…"
"The last day for what?" Hinata asked.
"The last day for us to stay here. The Council only gave me two days to try and bring that bastard back…he just left so they got all mad and stuff."
Naruto nodded along with the girls, of course, none of them – save for Sakura – knew what she was talking about.
"So I thought since he's unconscious I'd bring him back once Sakura's done with my arm."
Hinata shook her head. "No. You are not carrying him all the way there! He's almost three times bigger than you!"
"She's right, maybe you should wait for him to wake up…" Tenten said.
"Maybe I should. I wouldn't want to carry that big piece of crap around anyways…" Nami said, bringing her hand to her chin to look as if in deep thought.
Naruto chuckled and said calmly, "I agree. Just make sure he doesn't come back"
"What about me? Do you still want me to come back?" Nami asked.
"Of course! Who else would I raise as my apprentice?"
"I think," Tenten started, "you should stay away from Naruto until then."
"So true!" agreed Hinata with a huge smile on her face.
Naruto pouted. "Then stay away from me then you outsider!"
Nami stuck her tongue out at him and smiled. She was really going to miss them all. But how about Sakura, how will she cope with her leaving?
Sakura, throughout the whole conversation, remained silent. She carefully yet swiftly wrapped the bandage around her arm.
Her inner-self decided to say something. Nami and Sano are leaving…what about you?
No, not yet. I still have something to do.
What? Sasuke? Don't stay because of him!
I almost fell off the cliff…and he saved me. Least I can do is say thanks.
Sure…but remember why you left? Don't forget or else you'll feel attached to him once more.
I don't care…I'm staying until tonight.
Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Ino sat on her huge bed, her long legs dangling over the edge. She bit her nails nervous at the fact that he was not doing anything at all.
I wonder what he's going to do to me, she thought, images racing through her mind.
Sanosuke was so stupid! He ruined the whole plan just because he was jealous about Sasuke and Sakura. Ino was jealous also, but she resisted the urge to do anything rash. She had to stick to the plan, and if they have succeeded, life would be so great. But no, Sanosuke had to be an idiot and try and kill Sasuke…which went over the line. All they were supposed to do was make them hate each other. Sanosuke was to use his little hypnotism trick to get Sakura to the spot, then Ino would use her astral projection trick to make Sasuke hate her…
But now he hates me, not like he didn't before. What should I do?
Sasuke casually leaned on her wall, looking out the window, the soft wind blowing through his raven hair. Ever since the incident earlier this morning all he did was stare out the window; and he knew that the blonde on the bed was afraid of what he might do.
Ino was shaking now, not of fear, but of rage and impatience. She has been sitting on her bed for almost what seemed like forever and he wasn't saying anything!
"Sasuke! Say something!"
Sasuke stood just stood there, ignoring her.
"Sasuke!" Ino was starting to cry, infuriated by him. "Do not make me hurt you, you big jackass!"
With just one blink from Ino, Sasuke was gone from his spot. He was behind her, whispering, "How can you hurt me now? You've messed up my life…what more can you do?"
Ino pulled away and yelled, "I can make it worse for you! All I have to do is snap my fingers and tell everyone what you did! Then will your life be 'messed up!' Uchiha Sasuke, don't try my patience!"
All Sasuke did was smirk. "I didn't do anything, remember? If I recall, you're the one that did it, and I witnessed it. You switched it around, using it against me. A word of advice, don't try my patience."
Ino stared at him, her eyes flaring up in pure anger. "Why not? Are you still in love with your little Sakura? Didn't I tell you years ago, it's just a crush! She does not love you like I do!"
"Then why is she here? Why did she come back? Why did she come back to me?"
"SHE DIDN'T COME BACK FOR YOU!"
"How do you know?" he asked calmly.
"BECAUSE I KNOW! SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU!"
"I don't care. I love her…and that's all I'm going to say."
Ino stared at his onyx eyes, and bit her bottom lip. He was serious…dead serious.
"But…what about me?"
"You can survive without me can't you? After all, the only thing you feel for me is just a crush."
"No, it's not a crush!" she said, tears streaming, her lips trembling. "It's not!"
"Fine, say what you want. But I'm leaving."
"Sasuke don't!"
But before she said that, he was gone.
Sanosuke stood still behind Nami as she continued to say her goodbyes. She was tear-stricken and had a huge smile on her face. Sanosuke on the other hand didn't say anything and was scowling.
"I'm really going to miss you guys. It was real cool to meet you all and I am so glad that I did!" Nami said, giving a final hug to Tenten.
Tenten smiled and finally let her go. Hinata then took over and gave her a hug. Nami smiled widened and went over to Naruto who was standing there patiently, waiting for his good bye.
"Take care, kiddo. Don't forget to write now and then," he said, pulling her into a half hug then messing up her lavender hair causing the bandanna to fall to the ground. "I'm going to miss my little apprentice."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm going to miss 'my master' too." Nami said, picking her bandanna off the floor and quickly tying it around her head.
"I just wish Neji was here to say goodbye." Tenten said, giving Nami her bag.
"It's alright. I hope you guy the best!" Nami said, then turning to Sakura.
Sakura smiled at her and said, "Well, tell Natsumi I'm okay and that I miss her. Oh and, tell my mom that too, oh and everyone else in the village as well."
"What about Himiko?"
"What about her? She can rot for all I care." Sakura said, giving Nami a hug. "You're such a brat, Nami."
"But don't you love me because of that?" Nami asked, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement.
Sakura giggled and said, "More than I wanted to. But seriously, take care and get to the village as fast and as carefully as you can."
Her gaze shifted from the smiling Nami to the scowling Sanosuke behind her. She walked up to him and said calmly, "Sano, have a safe trip."
He just stared at her, no emotion in his face, or his onyx eyes.
"Oh, and please, don't hurt Nami and your way, okay?" Sakura said, pleading in a nice way.
He still didn't answer.
Sakura sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I don't know why I am, but, I just am. I…I don't like you the way that you like me, but please understand, I…have someone in mind already."
Sanosuke gave a reaction; he looked into her eyes and said, "Saku-rin…"
"Please, don't call me that. I'm not yours to hold and to keep. I don't belong to anyone but to myself. Besides, you have Himiko! So have a safe trip alright? Good bye." Before Sakura could walk away, Sanosuke grabbed her arm.
He pulled her in close and whispered in her, "Even so, I still despise Sasuke, and I will always be here for you…Sakura."
Sakura blushed as he planted a small kiss on her cheek and walked away, Nami smiling and waving behind him. Tenten and Hinata were waving back, Naruto with his hands shoved in his pockets, Sakura standing there, smiling, and Nami saying with such loud enthusiasm:
"Good bye people of Konoha! Until we meet again!"
Sakura looked at herself in the mirror, her new kimono shining. It was a simple design, pearl white silk and a pink obi sash. The festival started hours ago, the night sky gleaming. She let her friends go because they all had dates – Neji came back from his family thing. She didn't want to be the fifth wheel again.
Maybe you should have gone with Nami and Sanosuke.
Yeah, and live through hell with them arguing all the time.
But, you're used to it!
Good Lord, why do I even bother?
She grabbed her brush and let it comb through her hair. Sakura decided to let it down tonight, the pink locks cascading down her back. "Maybe I should cut it sometime soon…" she mumbled, leafing through it with her brush.
"Don't cut it, I like it that way."
Sakura jumped in surprise to suddenly see Sasuke standing behind her.
"What are you doing here Uchiha?"
"Well, I was walking by and I decided to…take you to the festival." He said, smirking.
Sakura half laughed and said, "Uh-huh. Right, Ino is probably waiting for you. So shoo go away."
Sasuke wrapped his arms around her and said, "I don't want to go away…not without you."
Sakura, blushing at his touch turned to face him and said, "Fine. But only because I want you to leave."
"Good," he whispered before leaning in and stealing a kiss.
She was shocked, her mind racing. Half of her wanted to push him away, but the other half was enjoying every second of it. Before she knew what she was doing, she was wrapping her arms around him, kissing him back with as much intensity.
Sasuke broke the kiss and pulled away. He held out his hand and said, "Milady?"
He gazed at her, kindness shining through his usually cold eyes. She was staring into his eyes…falling in love with them all over again…
It felt so right…
But all in all…
It still felt wrong…
She knew that she couldn't give into him, but she took his hand and together they walked out into the festive lights.
Sakura was so nervous throughout the night, images of the kiss flashing in her mind from time to time. She hated him didn't she? Didn't she?
The lights then suddenly turned off, and then flickered back into life, a voice booming overhead.
"The stars above, are separating. The three days of being together have ended, and thus let us all remember the memories of three nights of festiveness and three nights of dreams and hopes. All though we wish for it to last forever, it will not happen because forever is just a word. Remember, that forever lasts only in our hearts."
Sakura looked to the skies and saw the three aligned stars moving slowly away from each other. She closed her eyes and felt the warm, rough hands wrap around her own. She opened her eyes to see Sasuke staring at her, smiling.
"Come with me." He said, pulling her towards the river.
"Oh, that sucks. It's over!" Tenten said, looking to the sky.
"Oh well." Neji replied, his hands on her waist.
Hinata sighed. She looked at the sky as well.
Naruto laughed half heartedly and said, "Too bad Sakura missed it all…"
They all agreed in silence, all of them knowing that today was the last day…
Sakura stood at the river's bank, looking at her own reflection at the water's surface. The fireflies flew slowly around her, emitting their dull yet lovely light. Sasuke stood a few inches behind her, just simply looking at her.
She turned to look at him and smiled. "Uchiha! Look at this!"
Sasuke walked over to her side and his gaze shifted to the object she was pointing at. It was fish.
"A fish? What about it?"
"No! Look at the rocks."
Sasuke looked past the fish and saw the river's bed. There were rocks there alright, but for some reason they were glowing. It wasn't just a glow, it glowed then it didn't glow, different rocks at different time, all in rhythm, like the river was singing a song.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, staring at the silent song.
"Yeah, beautiful." He said breathlessly, but he wasn't looking at the rocks.
Sakura knew he was looking at her when he said that, so she returned the gaze, staring at the pools of sadness in his eyes.
She brought her slender hand to his cheek and whispered, "Why have you been so sad?"
"Because," he whispered back, "you left me…"
"But I'm leaving again…" She withdrew her hand and turned away from him.
"I know."
"Don't worry, Sano's there to watch me."
"I don't care. I want to be the one to watch you."
The stars above them shined brightly, signaling the end of the festival; and the end of Sakura's stay at Konohagakure.
Onyx eyes met emerald ones, and a smile crept onto Sakura's lips.
"You know, even if you did help me and all, you're still a jerk to me. I don't think…I could ever feel the same way for you again."
Sasuke stared at her sadly, and replied, "I know…but that doesn't stop me from loving you."
She brought both of her hands to his face and whispered, "You were supposed to forget me…"
Sasuke just smiled and replied, "But I couldn't…when you were gone, all I could think about was how much I missed your smile…your eyes…your laugh. I couldn't forget you because I love you too much, Sakura. You're my little flower."
Like thunder striking a marble, it hit her. Even if she did not admit it to him, she was still in love with him, after two years of staying away, she still thought about him.
She was still in love with Uchiha Sasuke!
Sakura stared at him, tears silently streaming her face. Her emerald eyes were glistening, and she knew she was blushing. How could she have been so blind?
"Uchiha, why are you such an idiot?" she cried.
He didn't say anything, he just leaned in again and placed his lips over hers, giving her another kiss. This time, Sakura didn't hesitate to kiss him back, kissing him with so much passion and bottled up emotion.
This time…as the tears flowed down her cheeks…Sakura knew it was right.
The clock struck 2:00 in the morning, and Sakura was still awake. She was sitting on the widow sill, her mind racing with thoughts, her heart spinning with emotions. She brought a finger to her lips. She could still feel the warm brush of his lips against her own, and the feel of his arms around her waist…he could still feel him.
No. She knew that he was lying to her. She just knew it. She remembered Ino, she saw them together! Why was it so hard to believe that Sasuke loved her, and not Ino? Why is it taking so long to sink in?
She locked the door to Hinata's house and walked the quiet streets. She came to a certain apartment and jumped through the window. There he was, sleeping quietly, his chest moving with his breathing. Sakura smiled, the last thing she will see of him will be that of slumber.
She stroked his hair, smiling at him while she restrained the tears that were threatening to fall. She kissed his cheek – the last kiss she would give him – and walked to his window. In his hands, she placed the necklace that he gave her so many years ago, the star shining with the moon. She turned to look at his sleeping figure and whispered, "Goodnight, Sasuke…"
Sakura sighed into the night and jumped out the window. She adjusted the bag on her shoulders and walked towards the village gates. She leaped over them and sighed again. She turned around and saw, hopefully for the last time, the one thing she cherished.
To Be Continued…
-Author's note: This chapter is finished! Yay! Finally! Sorry it took so long…but high school is so exhausting! But now I have a routine for it…well today was different because I sprained my ankle, so I decided since I am unable to walk to type my fingers off finishing this chapter! Hope the wait was worth it! Reviews/comments/flames/harsh criticism/anything else or welcome!
BOOYAH! Someone's got a real good eye…this chapter is entitled with a phrase from the song Helena by the koolio band My Chemical Romance. I felt like using it because I like the band/song.
Preview of Ch.9: Right Here Waiting
Sasuke grabbed the lavender-haired girl and said, "Nami?"
She looked a him with pale eyes and said, "N-no! I'm Natsumi!"
Nami came up behind her, shocked at the onyx eyed shinobi that appeared out of nowhere.
"Sasuke! What the hell are you doing here?" Nami asked, staring at him then moving to her stunned sister.
He was breathing hard, sweat glistening from his brow.
"Where is Sakura?" He asked sharply.