Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I wish…but no. '

Chapter 8

He stopped outside of the forest near the Konoha gates. He had shearing pain emitting from his side. Blood soaked through his shirt from the reopened wound. Tears flowed from his crystal blue eyes as his slender frame crumbled against a tall tree. With his knees to his chin, he sobbed.

'This isn't like me. Why am I acting this way?' Naruto dried his tears with his orange puffy jacket. He winced in pain as he rose off the ground. He slowly moved back into the village.

With his hands in his pockets, he stepped in Ichiraku Ramen shop. For the first time in his life he didn't order ramen. Instead he asked for a glass of water. Shocked expressions arose on everyone's faces but they decided to let it go.

Naruto tensed up when he sensed a familiar chakra near the ramen shop. A pink haired girl stepped slowly inside. Tears slightly fell down her soft pale cheeks. He didn't dare turn to look at her because he himself had been holding back tears.

She softly spoke his name. Sakura flung herself around his waist. He was startled by her sudden touch. He heard muffled cries through his jacket. He turned around to face her. Gripping her shoulders, he pulled her into an embrace.

"I love you Naruto. I will never love Sasuke again. Not after he left Konoha and after his figure stabbed me in the back. How…how could I ever forget that? When I see him, I see my own blood dripping off his hands. I have grown closer to you. I have finally realized that…" Sakura paused.

"That I love you." She murmured. She looked up at the blonde. Tears sparkled in her eyes. He tightened his embrace and placed his head on her shoulder.

He whispered in her ear, "I love you too Sakura. Always have, always will." Pulling away slowly, their eyes locked on to each others. Sakura moved closer to his lips. Both lips delicately and passionately met.

Naruto felt his knees becoming weaker and he started to lose his balance. As he went down, Sakura tried to stop him from falling. Instead they both hit the ground.

Sakura landed directly on top of him. She looked up at him and a blush was on both of their faces. She quickly got off of him and sat next to him. They looked at each other and laughter filled the shop.

Sakura gasped when she saw the blood on Naruto's jacket. She quickly up his jacket to reveal his bleeding wound. She healed it with her chakra and helped him get up.

The blonde paid for the drink and the couple stepped from the ramen shop. The luminous moon glowed on their pale skin.

Sakura looked up and stared at the blinking stars. The sky seemed to be lit up by the billions of sparkling lights. A slight warm breeze blew strands of pink hair behind her.

The blonde took his hand in hers and started to walk down the dusty road. Naruto pulled her toward the main gates.

"Where are we going?" Sakura was a little worried about leaving the village because of how late it had gotten.

"It's a surprise! You are just going to have to find out when we get there." Naruto continued to pull her.

Author's note: Ok…not much of a cliff hanger. But the place that they're going to is simply…how would I word this…surprising. Chapter 9 will be posted as soon as possible. It's already written. But I have to find some time to type it. Plus I am working on my new OOC Naruto story. "Bloody Valentine." I couldn't think of a good title ' lol. It's good, in my opinion. I know where the story is going. Unlike this one…any ideas? Help. Lol.

Ja Ne!

Dianna