I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand

Three years later

It was all going so well for her, now. A high school senior, her own place, her own car, and great friends. Despite, Sharpovas stupidity she had become one of Sakuras best friends. And even though Hinata rarely talked she also became one of Sakuras best friends. But none of them could compare to the bond that Sakura had with Kiba, Neji, and Shikamaru. Sasuke not included. After her incident before and after with him while she was drunk he was a hated enemy and he really didn't seem to mind. But that was the problem. He NEEDED to mind.

Sakura POV

I've always hated the first day of school. At first you're all excited, thinking 'Hell, maybe there'll actually be someone hot this year.' Then when you actually get there it's like 'Dammit! Another school year!' But for some reason it felt different. I could feel that this year, something that I thought was a minor thing would end up changing my life in more ways than I can count. And I was right. It did. It all started with a phone call.

"Hi! If you are Shikamaru, press 1. If you are Neji, please press 2 and if your identity is Kiba Inuzuka, press 3. Lee, if this is you, How the hell did you get my number?"

"Can I have my own number too?" A slightly familar voice asked. "I want 7."

"Oh shit, sorry about that ... Who is this?"

"Darling, don't be sorry, you're cute. It's Naruto."

"Naruto! How are you?"

"Ugh, tired. I just got off a plane and now I need someone to come pick me up."

"Where did you just fly in?"

"Funny you should mention that, I'm in Konoha-"

"I can pick you up! How soon would you like me to come get you? I'm just on my way to school and it'd really should be no problem and-"

"Now please," he interrupted. "It's weird not being here with anyone."

"Okay, I'll be ten minutes, at the max."

"Okay," he replied and then hung up. I stared at the phone as it made it's empty beeping 'no one's here anymore, moron'- sound, before hanging up as well. On the way to the airport, I got stuck in traffic and Naruto called four times with exclamations of joy that I was coming to pick him up though, apparently, I was 'taking my sweet time'. I found it disturbing that he had my cell number even though I changed my number 4 times since I moved away from my parents and Naruto just to avoid him. But it was refreshing to to talk to someone I was familar with. My dad must have given him my number. I'll kill him. I was giving a full-blown rendition of Total Eclipse of The Heart; my hands off the steering wheel (as the Cherokee remained stationary) to gesture wildly and sometimes obscenely, and my vocal chords straining as I belted out the words, fully aware my window was wound down; when everyone started moving again and the person in the car behind me honked their horn. I turned and glared at the driver before turning back around and slamming my hand down hard on my own horn. Then I had to give the police officer in the cruiser driving beside me an extremely sheepish look when he stared at me in a mixture of apprehension, astonishment, and disapproval. Thankfully, I sweetly smiled my way out of God knows what kind of fine and made it to the airport, where Naruto was standing out the front, like's we'd agreed in one of his 'hurry up' calls to me.

As usual, his blonde hair was spiky and unkempt but not quite an afro...yet; his jeans were too baggy and ripped, and his shirt was stained just above his hip as well as being wrinkled so much it looked like he'd been crumpled in to a ball the size of my brain. Mmm-hmm pretty damn small.. But, oh my god(!), he looked like he'd showered recently, and got taller and rid of that god-awful orange jumpsuit. When he saw me, a huge manic grin appeared on his face and he started bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet where his suitcase and backpack were thrown. He looked great. I stared and stared with my mouth hanging slightly opened. Drool seemed like a distinct possibility. Five minutes later I was still staring at him but for different reasons and then I pointed at the passenger seat but he just stood there, looking back and ignoring my 'get in the damn car' hints. Obviously he wanted me to get out to collect him myself. I shook my head but killed the ignition, tried to take off my seat belt (then realizing I wasn't wearing one) and got out, thinking 'he is way too used to getting his own way'.

"Heya Fugly!" I cried as I walked up to him, twirling my keys in one hand. Several people turned around to watch. He stuck his tongue out at me. What, were we five? "I'll ignore that-"

"I'm kidding," I assured him, holding up my hands and grinning.

"Well, in that case," He threw his arms wide, "C'mere sexy!"

Naruto ended up staying at my place. Kiba, Neji, and Shikamaru didn't want him at their place after the first few days he stayed there so I took him in and soon learned why they didn't want him. He was a complainer. He either stayed at home while I went to school and waited until I got home to bitch about how bored he was while I was gone or came with and bitched about how boring school was. He had the attention span of a penny. He was also crazy. He woke me up at 3:00 A.M to announce that he wanted to eat Trix. The "refreshing" part of having Naruto there was long gone and he became extremely annoying. I wasn't afraid to show it either, being mean to Naruto was something I had to do. Even if he's hot. But for some reason I can't find the heart to throw him out.