Naruto-the Story Continues

Chapter 3: Probably didn't mean Anything

Unaware of the return of his consciousness, she snuck a light kiss on the raven-haired shinobi's cheek, causing the markings on dissipate away.

'Sasuke-kun…' she finally noticed his consciousness when his hug tightened. Yet her tears did not come to a halt. Eventually, after what it appeared to be a long time, Sakura's conscience finally got to her. She let go of the raven-haired teen, and quickly wiped away her tears. She stood up and turned her back against him.

"Gomen, Sasuke…" she didn't want him to see her as that love-obsessed girl she used to be. She was a true shinobi now…her emotions had to come second! Plus she felt his affection for her was praise for her loyalty, not love. No, she was not some dog; she didn't want praise!

There was a deadly silence throughout the room. But if you listened closely two heartbeats could be heard…skipping beats and off rhythm.

'If only it meant something more…much more…'

'The markings are gone and my face is starting to burn up…why did she let go though? And she didn't add the "-kun" in my name… Wait…why do I care? But does she not love me anymore? Did she even love me at all?'

Kakashi sympathized Sakura but chuckled slightly reading the raven headed boy's thoughts. Sasuke hearing Kakashi, stood up embarrassed and ready to leave.

"Sasuke, I highly suggest you betray Orochimaru and stay in this village…"

But before Sasuke had a chance to answer,

"Sakura, wash off Sasuke's wounds and heal him back to health."

'Damn it, Kakashi!' the Uchiha growled.

The Jounin just smiled innocently.

"Hai, Kakashi-sensei," she replied without emotion then disappeared. Naruto went to help; Kakashi was alone with Sasuke. This was his chance to knock some sense into the adolescence.

"How have you been, Sasuke?"

"Hn…"

"I take that as a bad…you missed us haven't you? Especially her…"

He just glowered at his former sensei.

"You know I've been here the whole time…right?"

"Hn…" angrily this time.

'Sigh…Sasuke, even if you are a strong elite ninja now…you sure are blind when it comes to love…'

"Anyways…does it really feel right to kill Naruto? The boy who's been jealous with respect towards you ever since the day he saw you. Up until now where he can proudly say that you are his comrade. What good does that do? You're killing off an ally and someone who risked their life to sway you from a dark path. Not to mention, someone who actually cares about you…"

"I don't care. Test of my strength…that's it…then I'm off to kill him…"

"Ok, let's say you do kill Naruto and your brother. Do you really think that you're going to be happy? Knowing you killed your own brother and your only companion?"

"…"

"Strength can be tested in different ways, Sasuke…different people perhaps?"

'What the hell is he saying?'

"I see your happy that that bastard is back…"

"Hai…and hey! Don't call Sasuke-kun a bastard!"

"You still love him more than a comrade, don't you, Sakura-chan?"

The pink kinochi whispered under her breath, inaudible to everything and everyone else,

"Hai…"

Even without hearing her, the blue kitsune eyes of his could tell her love for that "bastard" has even become stronger. He was still silly, hyperactive, and sometimes annoying, but not as clueless as he used to be with Sakura…

"I don't know…that teme…seems different…DO YOU THINK HE LIKES YOU?"

Sakura's big sweat dropped. Scratch that…overall, Naruto was still clueless…

"I don't know, maybe he does…or maybe he's just happy someone at least cares…I doubt it's anything like 'love'…" she tried not to get her hopes up…it would only end with a bigger hurt than last time, one of the first time she talked with him. He said she was annoying of course, when silly 12-year-old Sakura expected a kiss.

But the silver and blond knew…while the other two tried to keep their hopes low.

'She probably didn't mean anything,'

'He probably didn't mean anything,'

Slightly off, I think...but not sure what's wrong with it...tell me! -H3AJiN