It was morning, Sakura's eyes slowly opened to the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Where am I...?" Sakura looked around in confusion
She heard a grumbling under her sheet and felt a hand brush her arm. She was scared. Her memory of last night was slowly returning. Nervously and with a heart full of fear, she pulled the blanket to reveal the person asleep next to her. Her eyes grew wide.
Inner Sakura
"SASUKE!"
Immediately, she became afraid. She made her way to the bathroom closing the door behind her. She started crying immensely. She turned on the faucet to drown out the sounds of her crying. And look at herself in the mirror
Inner Sakura
"I...I didn't want this. I thought I wanted Sasuke-kun. But I feel so horrible...I don't know what I want anymore...Naruto...would you...could you forgive me...?"
Sakura's weeping became louder as she continued. Soon it wasn't the faucet covering her cries. It was her cries drowning out the sound of the faucet. Her cries had awakened Sasuke as he went to the door and knocked
"ARE YOU OK IN THERE?" Sasuke had to yell over the sounds of the running water.
Sakura tried to stop crying as best she could. But she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried, her tears flowed. Trembling and eyes blood red, she opened the door.
"...Yes Sasuke...I'm fine" she was lying as was evident in her body language.
Sasuke slowly walked up to her as he attempted to put his arm around her shoulder. To his surprise, she immediately pushed away from him. Sasuke was caught totally off guard. He never thought he'd see the day when Sakura didn't want his comfort.
"You sure you're all right" Sasuke asked a second time"
"I...this was wrong...why did I come here?..." pain still in her voice
"Sakura, if you were strong, you wouldn't ask that question" Sasuke coldly gestured.
"Then maybe I'm just not strong..."
"Yeah, I can tell I was wrong about you. I THOUGHT you were strong. But second guessing? That is a trait for the weak, of the weak." Sasuke had already begun looking down on her
For the first time, Sakura had feelings of anger toward her crush. A crush that was fading fast.
"So...you wanted me here...just because you thought I was strong" Sakura's heart and mind were breaking down
"Sakura, back when we were under attack at the hospital in wave country, you fought with a strength that you've never had before. I respected that. I thought you'd change from the annoying brat you always were. But that was off the mark obviously." Sasuke was painfully direct.
"You never loved me at all did you? Sakura knew the answer at this point. But for her sake of sanity she had to ask
"I love power Sakura, I thought you had strength. I was wrong" Sasuke said, turning his back on Sakura.
Sakura's eyes grew even wider than what they had previously.
Without anymore fuss or conversation, Sakura darted out of Sasuke's house. Frustration and heartache were her aura. Not too many people were out in the morning so very few noticed that she was only half dressed. However, her neighbor Ino did notice. And the thought of Sakura darting out of Sasuke's house so early in the morning left little to the imagination. And considering Ino was another of the many girls that had a crush on Sasuke, the thought infuriated her.
Sakura made it home, greeted by a worried sick mother that her daughter was out all night without so much as a word.
"SAKURA!" Ms. Haruno had plenty of questions, but held off. She was just happy to see that her daughter was ok.
"Dear...your crying...and you not even fully dressed? What happened?" At first she thought her daughter had been attacked somehow.
"Mom...I did something horrible last night...really horrible..."Sakura was afraid to tell her mother.
Ms. Haruno softly took her daughter by her hand and headed toward the couch. They were both silent. Ms. Haruno left and went into the kitchen, leaving her daughter sitting there with her thoughts.
"I'll make you some breakfast hon. What would you like?" The concerned mother asked
"Mom, I...pancakes...please" Sakura uneasily replied to her mother's offer.
"Of course dear" her mother replied as positively as she could, but there was no disguising the worry for her daughter and the condition she seemed to be in.
Ms. Haruno and Sakura both sat at the table quietly. There was a long silence. But Sakura, needing someone to comfort her and hear what she had to say, broke that silence.
"...Mom, I'm so sorry I worried you, not even calling to let you know I was ok..."Sakura softly apologized
"Sakura it's ok, just so long as your well" Her mother replied, smiling a smile for her much needing daughter.
"I'm...not ok mother...there is something wrong...I've done something I shouldn't have" Sakura slowly began her confession to her mother.
Her mother watched on. Never budging, never allowing her mind or eyes to waver.
"Mom...I...I was at Sasuke's house...I... slept there...with him" Sakura said softly and in pain. She could hardly bring herself to say it. The mere utter of what she had done wrenched her. Tears once again flowed from her eyes
"Oh. Sakura..." Her mother was at a loss for words.
In the back of her mind, she knew where her daughter had gone and what her daughter might have done. And her worst fear had become creeping into reality. Her daughter was almost mirroring exactly what she had done years ago.
"Mom...I thought I wanted Sasuke...that I was in love with Sasuke. How could I have been so...wrong" Sakura needed her mother's guidance.
"Sakura, we're all wrong once in a while in our lives...it's human nature. The real question is how to we make our wrongs right again." Ms. Haruno tried as best she could to be strong for her daughter. But she was crying too. Crying for the sake of her daughter and memories of her own past.
"Sakura...Naruto waited for you last night. He probably would have stayed here had I not sent him home. He was really worried about you from the bottom of his heart. I...had my suspicions that you might have gone to Sasuke's house...but I didn't, I couldn't tell him that..."
Ms. Haruno's mention of his name made Sakura freeze. Her eyes watered and grew again as she began to bite her bottom lip.
"...Oh god...Naruto-kun..." she close her eyes as tears continued to seep.
"Mom...I wish you did tell him...he would have come...he would have saved me...I need him..." Sakura meant her words
"Sakura, you have to be honest to yourself dear...he can't save you. To him...you don't need to be saved." Her mother tried to give her a sense of logic
"...I don't understand..."Sakura hurt and confused.
"Forgive me Sakura, but I asked Naruto how he felt about you. Sakura, he is in love with you. I knew that fact even before I asked. His eyes told the story. But he told me about what you said...you told him Sasuke was the only one for you" Her mother tried to make her see the reality
" I...regret telling him that...and...I feel sorry for him...falling in love with a girl that can't even be honest with herself." Sakura bellowed herself
"Don't dare sell yourself short dear. I think you've already begun on your way to being true to yourself. You're just having a hard time realizing it right now." Ms. Haruno tried to slowly instill confidence into her daughter.
"I...I need to be a better friend to him...he deserves the best. And for my Naruto-kun...I will be the best..."Sakura closed her eyes as a warm smile crossed her face at the thought of her friend. The friend that she began willingly caring for.
"Kuuuuuuuun?" Her mother teased her again to ease the hurt of her daughter.
However, this time was not like the last. Sakura didn't through a fit as she did the last time her mother teased her about that. This time, she just gazed at her mother with a smile that showed she was beginning to accept her feelings.
"Yes mom...Kuuuuuuuuuun..."Sakura continued to glow.
Inner Sakura
"Yeah...my Naruto-kun...my friend...my best friend. Nobody will take you away from me..."
Sakura was heavy in daydream as Ms. Haruno tried to snap her daughter out of it. As much as she didn't want to since her daughter was happy
"Sakura...you need to go apologize to that boy." Ms. Haruno practically ordered.
"...What can I say to him mom...I want to see...Naruto...but I don't know what to say" Sakura was scared of even the slightest thought of telling him the truth.
"I'm not saying for you to tell him everything. But dear,...he deserves to know why he was stood up...you know that" Ms. Haruno was scared for her daughter.
"Mom...it took me so long to see how special Naruto is. I've treated him like dirt for as long as we've known each other...and broke his heart for almost as many years...I don't want to risk what little we have now." Sakura's tears ran down her face.
"But Sakura dear..."Sakura cut her mother off.
"Mom, I can't...I can't tell him. At least...not right now...he has to be ready to hear it. I can't bear breaking his heart again...if his heart breaks...my heart will too...because we're connected in that way.
Ms. Haruno just smiled at her blossoming daughter. And her smile was returned. Sakura hugged her mother and went upstairs to the bathroom to shower and put on a fresh pair of cloths. Once out the door, she slowly began on her way to Naruto's house. She was very slowly, trying her hardest to think of something to say. Anything outside of the truth would do as long as it made sense.
Inner Sakura
"I wish I could tell you the truth Naruto-kun...but...I can't lose you...my best friend...the best everything to me..."
Sakura finally made it to Naruto's house and reluctantly knocked on the door. Her heart was telling her to run away, but her feet wouldn't allow such. As the door crept open, her heart began beating like a new drum. Then a pair of green eyes met a pair of blue eyes
"SAKURA-CHAN! You're ok" Naruto was extremely happy to see her as he hugged her.
Mid hug, Naruto froze and thought to himself and bracing himself for a fist to his face. Sakura always used to hurt him in some form when he did something like that. But to his surprise, she hugged him back, and just as tightly no less. Naruto was indeed shocked, but decided to bask in the moment.
"Hi Naruto-kun...how are you this morning..." Sakura said smiling warmly.
"Hey I'm fine now that I see your fine. What about you? Where were you last night?" Naruto questioned out of worry and concern for his friend.
Sakura was stunned beyond belief. She had no excuse. And she wasn't going to dare tell him about sleeping with Sasuke last night.
"Naruto...I...uh...can we talk about that later." She asked as she broke eye contact with him
"Sure of course, I wouldn't ask you to talk about it if your not comfortable. As long as your ok, that is good enough for me hands down" He said as he smile at her with his usual goofy grin
Inner Sakura
"I...I don't deserve you, do I? For a friend, I'm pretty selfish...I'm sorry Naruto...I can't tell you the truth...not yet"
"Naruto-kun...can we do something today?...if you have time, and if your willing...I want to make up for leaving you high and dry last night..." She was truly sorry and wanted to spend time with him. Not out of sorry, but as a friend. Her friend
"Sure Sakura-chan, gladly. Just let me get myself ready. That is if you don't mind waiting a bit." He replied in pure delight
"I don't mind at all...I'll wait forever if I have to..." She said that last part too low to hear accurately.
"Did you say something Sakura-chan" Naruto caught the sound of Sakura's voice, but couldn't make out the words
"Uh...I was asking you to wait" She found a quick excuse not to repeat what she had said.
She walked up to Naruto slowly. Their eyes meet. She grabbed his hands, slowly caressing them.
"Thank you for always being there for me...Naruto-kun" She kissed him on his cheek.
Naruto blushing, continued on to get himself ready to leave as Sakura blissfully waited for him.
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Zabuza, Malhavoc, and their renegade ninja squads continued on to Konoha.
"I'm assuming you have a plan on how to get the Uchiha boy?" Zabuza questioned
"Of course I have a plan. We can't all be mindless drones like you" Malhavoc showing his discontent
"Mindless drones like me end up killing loyal dogs like yourself" Zabuza grinned
"ANYWAY, it's best for us to move in at night. I will take my squad and station them around the southern gate. You Zabuza will take your squad and split them in half. One team to the east gate, the rest to the west. At the first moonlight, I will shoot a flare to signal our attack. At that time, half of my group from the south will move in as will the two of us Zabuza. From there, we will search for the boy on foot while the battle ensues." Malhavoc was indeed a tactician
"Intriguing. But we just have two squads, they have an entire village of ninja. We will be overwhelmed." Zabuza put notice to the clear fact.
" I wasn't finished speaking. That is what the out ninja around the gates are for. They will come in little by little. Dispatching any reinforcements as they come. In short, any reinforcements by the enemy will be surrounded."
"Hmmm ok, allow me to repeat dumb ass. They are AN ENTIRE VILLAGE OF NINJAS. We will still be overwhelmed eventually. All that does is stall for time." Zabuza, mocking Malhavoc's plan.
"Well we're not there to start a damn war. Overwhelming shouldn't be an issue. We are ninja after all. Stealth and speed are what we do best." Malhavoc stated his point
"Fair enough we'll hide outside the gates and what for your signal." Zabuza was ready
The ninjas all hid themselves well. Silently, and patiently they waited around Konoha's village gates. Their plan was sound and the ninjas were ready. Konoha was soon to be under a silent siege.
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Naruto and Sakura had just set out on their day of fun.
"Well Sakura-chan, what do you want to do first?" Naruto asked
"Let's go get some ramen" Sakura smiled
Naruto was shocked. He didn't think that she'd want to get ramen. That was HIS thing
"Sakura-chan, are you sure, I mean I didn't think you even liked it" He asked
"I don't but I KNOW that's what you want. Besides, I never said I HATED it" she said giggling
Naruto was weirded out, but he was happy. The two went to the ramen shop and enjoyed several bowls of the stuff. He was shocked at how much ramen Sakura could pack down. It was almost as much as he could. But he figured he'd tease her about it. They both walked out of the ramen shop will full bellies.
"Wow Sakura-chan, you sure can scarf down that ramen. You better be careful lest you'll have ramen in your thighs." He tried to tease her.
"WHAT?" Sakura wanted to laugh, but wanted to slap him for making a comment like that
"Is that right, well I guess I should go work off what I ate the shouldn't I?" She asked with a combative look at Naruto.
"Uh...Sakura-chan...why are you looking at me like that?" He was nervous.
"Let's go train Naruto-kun. That way I can work out all this 'ramen in my thighs' and kick your sorry behind too" She said competitively.
Naruto was taken by the hand rather aggressively. She practically dragged him over to the training grounds. She pushed him to one side as she walked over to another side, equidistant and parallel to her.
"Ok Naruto- kun, I'm going to work out my 'ramen thighs' on you. Hope you don't mind being a punch dummy" she said teasingly
"Oh yeah right, Sakura-chan you'll never lay fing...oh geez" he was cut off by attacks
Sakura began by kicking at him. A mix of forward kicks and roundhouses made their way to Naruto's frame. He was dodging each attack. Some of which would have taken his head clean off had they connected.
Sakura had Naruto backed up to a tree. She began a second charge. But just before she could strike, he swept her. Causing her to fall on her butt.
"Ok so now we know you hit girls" She was trying to play on his good nature.
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan." He was off guard as he reached out his hand to help her up
She kicked him in his stomach and threw him into a boulder. Luckily, he didn't hit since he flipped over it.
"Sakura-Chan, that wasn't even fair" he was complaining.
"Oh stop complaining. Anything goes in a fight" She was right, but she said it in a very playful way. She was truly comfortable with Naruto.
She began attacking him again as she tried to punch him. But he grabbed her arm and locked it behind her, forcing her to the ground. Noticing the compromising position they were in, Sakura used another trick. She decided to once again used her sexuality on him.
"Ooooooooh my...this is very forward of you Naruto-kun" she said softly in his ear as he batted her eyes
He started blushing and he froze up. He didn't know what to say.
"Sakura-chan I...I..." he had nothing to say.
She wrapped her legs around him and flung him off. He hit the ground hard. She walked up to him with a dominant smile on her face
"My ramen thighs are strong aren't they?" she said giggling
"Uh...yeah...can we do something else now...?" he asked, still reeling for Sakura beating up on him
"Let's go for a walk, that is if you can" Sakura was competitive, but she was having a good time. Something that she seemed to only do when Naruto was around.
The two walked along and came across Ino's family flower shop. Naruto insisted on buying her flowers. They walked in as the place was very fragrant due to the flowers.
"Hey Ino" Naruto said noticed the blond beauty at the counter.
" Hey baka" Ino replied. She didn't hate him anymore at all. She had gotten used to him. Like a brother.
"Don't call him that" Sakura came to his defense. Which in turn shocked Naruto.
"It's ok Sakura-chan, she's just playing" Naruto knew Ino wasn't too fond of him. But they did get along well overall.
"Yeah Sakura geez, I always call him that. What are you his girlfriend?"
Sakura blushed as she and Naruto looked at each other. Normally, Sakura would have immediately protested that statement. But now that she was beginning to accept her feelings, she was nervous to say anything in reply. However, Naruto answered instead.
"No no...we're just friends Ino" Naruto answered. Much to Sakura's dismay, he had accepted her words that she only had feelings for Sasuke. He was still in love with her. But he felt it was time to give up fighting a losing battle.
Inner Sakura
"Just friends...I should have felt that coming..."
Sakura, feeling dejected turned her head.
"Well that's a good thing. Say, guess where I saw your friend coming from this morning." Ino was about to tell Naruto before Sakura could explain it to him
Sakura's eyes grew. She forcefully grabbed Naruto and ran out of the store. Naruto luckily had the flowers he had picked out for her in his hand as he dropped the money on the floor of the shop. They ran pretty far. Almost right out of Konoha. They were about 50ft from the village gates.
"Sakura-chan, why did you do that? Naruto asked confused about the sudden event.
"No reason in particular...I just wanted to get away from Ino. You know how much she and I fight all the time. I didn't want to ruin the day." she lied
"Sakura-chan, are you sure you're ok?" Naruto questioned as he was puzzled by Sakura's actions.
"STOP ASKING ME THAT!" Sakura snapped at him
Naruto didn't know what to do. It seemed like every time he tried to be there for Sakura or to protect her, it backfired. After years of this, he never became used to it.
Sakura, looking at the hurt in his face, became sad herself. She walked up to him and slowly swung her arms around his neck.
"...I know I give you a hard time Naruto...thank you for always being there with me, even though I clearly don't deserve it...I don't deserve to have you in my life." She hugged him tighter.
"How can you say that? You deserve the world...at least that's what I think Sakura-chan..."
Hearing that made Sakura blush. She slowly released her embrace and grabbed his hand.
"Can we continue with our day...?" Sakura politely asked
"Sure Sakura-Chan" He was worried, but he was still enjoyed having her company
The two went to an arcade. Sakura noticed the dance dance revolution machine. Sakura got that competitive look in her eye. Naruto looked at her and knew exactly what she was thinking
"You do realize I'm going to kick your butt at this too right?" Sakura playfully challenged.
"Doubt it" He was certain he was ready for her this time.
They started to play and just Naruto's luck, he stunk at this game. And Sakura, was playing like a true pro. Her movements were swift and grateful as his were sloppy and clumsy. Once it was over, Sakura was very loose and happy. While Naruto was worn out a sore.
"Ninjas need to be more graceful than that." Sakura teased him.
"Yeah...right" He was tired.
Sakura laughed. And that made Naruto truly happy. The two walked out of the arcade with smiles on their faces. The sun was setting and the night was approaching. It was about 11pm and Naruto had just walked Sakura home. They stood just outside of her home, both having trouble letting the other go.
"Naruto-kun...thank you for being with me today...I really needed it."
"Anytime Sakura-chan, I'm just happy you enjoyed the day. I know I did."Naruto replied goofy smile in all.
They both looked at each other in the eye. Neither letting their eyes focus on anything but each other.
"Well...I'll see you tomorrow Sakura-chan..." Naruto reluctantly turned away and began on his way home.
Sakura walked behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. That made him stop in his tracks. Sakura then pressed her body against his back and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Naruto...would you still care about me if I've ever done something wrong... Could you forgive me no matter what I did?" Sakura was scared to tell Naruto the truth. She didn't know how.
"Of course Sakura-chan. I could never be mad at you. But why would..." Sakura quieted her friend
"Shhhhh...just don't say anything. Let's just live in the moment" Sakura was clinging to any sort of hope she could. The thought of Naruto being angry with her in any way was unbearable to her.
The two stayed silent for a moment that seemed like an eternity. Sakura eventually let her hold go of her teammate. As the two parted for the night. Naruto began walking home and Sakura went inside her house. Closing the door behind her and leaning on it for support, she was deep in thought. Clinging to a way to resolve the situation before things became worse.
Inner Sakura
"I'm a coward...I wasn't strong enough to tell him...please forgive me Naruto...
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The time was almost at hand. Teams of Ninja were surrounding each of Konoha's gates. Awaiting Malhavoc's signal, the groups of ninja were ready, their weapons ached for blood. Konoha was about to receive a swift and sinister blow.
"This better work Malhavoc" Zabuza threatened.
"My plans always work, don't worry" Malhavoc was confident in their success.
Malhavoc began getting his weapons together as did Zabuza. On paper Malhavoc's plan was flawless. Assuming everyone did their part, it would go off without a hitch. The time to attack was now
Malhavoc sent up the flair. All the ninjas saw it and the attack began.
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Kakashi and Shizune were enjoying a night out. Ever since Kakashi had returned, Shizune hadn't let him out of her sight. They had decided to go outside of Konoha to be alone. The people in the village were pretty suffocating to them both. Kakashi, with Shizune wrapped around his arm as hers were around his waisted, began walking to the south gate of Konoha
"Aren't you tired of me yet?" Kakashi asked jokingly
"Sorry hun, you're a drug to me. You should know that by now" Shizune said seductively blushing
"Well at least you can enjoy your favorite drug in private. Being in the village, something is always popping up.
Shizune giggled and looked into the sky
"Look hun, there's a star shooting in the air" Shizune said with a big smile
"That looks more like a flair." Kakashi wondered
Little did the two know that their village was to become a silent battle ground. Konoha was ill prepared for what would befallen them next.
To be continued...