Kage of the Graves:
Carve a Piece of my Heart

It's funny you know? You spend your entire life hearing various bits of wisdom on the subject of taking things for granted, and you always say to yourself 'I'll never do that, I know better.' You truly, honestly believe that you are taking nothing and no one for granted. But you're wrong, and you're only lying to yourself by denying it. You're wrong the same way I was wrong.

I'm standing atop an old bridge, one that's been around since before I was born, and I'm watching the tranquil water bubble and flow beneath me. It's comforting, really, to lose myself in the eternal strength of mother nature. At the same time, though, it angers me. Why can't it stop, even for a second? Why should I still hear the babbling of this little brook, when it's the babbling of a blonde haired team mate that I'm truly missing.

We used to meet here, right where I'm standing. It's funny, I can still picture them. There's Sasuke, the boy I used to believe I was in love with, resting against the guard rail in brooding silence. I'm where I should be, but there's no Naruto - or rather, there's no designated place for him. It always used to annoy me, seeing him bouncing around all happily at even the most ungodly wee hours of the morning. I used to be so mad… so mad because I blamed him for me not having any success with getting a date with Sasuke.

Heh, what a fool I was. Can you believe it? I graduated top of the class in the academic standings. By the time I was eight years old I could practically recite, word for word no less, the histories of the five great Nations, along with all the written concepts behind several Ninjutsu techniques. I was so smart, but I couldn't see which one of my team mates was truly worthy of attention.

God I hate myself sometimes… Like now. Like right this very moment, because I'm as weak as I always was. My fists can leave impact craters in a nearly 30 yard circumference, but I can't stand being alone. I'm afraid - a coward, I know it - but I don't know what to do anymore. You never left me alone before Naruto. Even when you went away for so long, you left me messages when you could and even remembered to send presents on my birthdays.

Sometimes I may have felt like you were smothering me, but that meant you were always right there when I needed you. Sniff See what you're doing to me? I'm crying again, I never knew I had so many tears… I want them to stop, but they haven't yet.

I can't see the brook anymore, but why should I need to? My vision is already filled with water, so I suppose I can get comfortable now. Wait. What's… what is this? A carving..? In the haze of the early morning, it's a little hard to read, but sliding my fingers across the roughly dug-into wood paints a clear picture.

'N…A…R…U…T…O…A…N…D…S…A…K…U…R…A…4...L…I…F…E…'

One of the many signs of affection you tried to show me, it's funny how much I treasure it now - I can almost feel my heart swelling. But… what's this? Just below my name, I thought it was a line before, but the lantern from a passing carriage showed an arrow - but an arrow to what I wonder? Tracing the line to it's pointed end, I hastily try and figure out the rest.

When I do finally piece the full meaning of the carving together, I have to laugh, even if it's choked off by a burgeoning sob. 'Naruto and Sakura - Siblings, Friends, and Sexy Ninja's - 4 Life. The arrow had wrapped around to the back of the post, and the rough edges of those touching words led me to believe it was as recent an addition as a few months.

I smile, even through the fresh heartache and tears your old carving brings. It's so like you, you know that? Even from beyond the grave, your attempts at cheering me up just make me want to hit you again. For life? You kind of wimped out on your end of the bargain… didn't you? You… stupid… jerk…

I have to get away from here, Naruto. If I stay at this bridge any longer, I'll probably start crying again and never stop. But before I go, here's one last tribute to you and your carvings, alright? If you're watching me, somehow, somewhere, don't take it the wrong way.

The tears have started again, and this time I know I have to get moving. There's that pit in my stomach again, and I'll be damned if I let even your memory see me turn into a wreck again. I love you Naruto, you're the closest thing I've ever had to a boyfriend, not that I'd admit that out loud. Nor would I ever admit just how much I would give to take you up on one of those date offers, just so I could see that stupid smile of yours again - so I could remember what happiness feels like again. Just so, well, the list goes on and on, Naruto… -Kun, and I'd be blushing and beating you for your nose bleeds long before I finished telling you.

But I was too stubborn to ever give in and admit to what was right in front of me. I'd like to say I regret that more than I do, but I can't. You see, even if we were never together as loves' or lovers, you were with me as a friend and a brother, and I can't even begin to say how much that meant to me.

"Baka…"

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Naruto, spectral citizen of Konoha, watched Sakura for over an hour. He'd come across his living teammate on his way towards Ichiraku's stand to see how the old man was doing - as well as find out if it were possible to eat ramen when you were dead - when he'd heard the faint sobs coming from the bridge he'd spent many mornings, afternoons and occasional evenings at. As he'd hovered closer, he'd spotted those formerly lustrous lochs of bubblegum pink hair and felt his mood lift. He hadn't seen Sakura since he'd died, and the chance to check in on her now was too great to pass up.

Upon arrival though, he'd discovered the Kunoichi just staring out into the steadily flowing waters of the Team 7's own babbling brook. However, instead of the vivacious glow he'd always loved, and the ever-present temper he'd long since come to respect, he found a woman who's hair was greasy and starting to clump - a woman who's eyes seemed shrink wrapped in tears. Shortly after I arrive, she slowly crouched down and collapsed gracelessly against the side boards of the railing, causing me to wince. Sakura could be a bit of a klutz at times, yes, but she would never just flop over like that - she'd say it was unladylike and unattractive.

Not knowing what else to do, he simply sat and watched her. Using his tails for balance, Naruto perched atop the thin railing of the bridge just across from Sakura. She never said anything, although occasionally she'd offer up a weak laugh or weary smile. After nearly an hour of simply enjoying the company - even if Sakura had never even the slightest inkling that he was there - Sakura moved as if startled. Peering about to see what might have given her such a reaction, I was given an answer a moment later when I saw her fingering my carving, sounding out the words with little difficulty.

Naruto smiled softly, watching this. Less than a month and a half before, he had added to that very carving, and it was almost disappointing when she didn't seem to catch the second part. That ever so slight disappointment was alleviated less than minute later as a passing carriage illuminated the arrow. When she'd finished reading the second part, Naruto prepared himself for a bright 'bout of laughter or some other amused reaction, but he received only further tears. It confused and depressed him, but he stayed by Sakura's side anyway, he owed her that after all. When the pink haired girl took out a Kunai, Naruto briefly worried that she was going to destroy his last carving out of spite and he'd nearly leapt through her to grab the Kunai when he's remembered the simple fact that he was a ghost.

He needn't have worried though, when the Kunoichi stood to leave, Naruto could only smile as he looked at the new addition to his post carving. It now read, 'Naruto and Sakura - Siblings, Friends, and Sexy Ninja's - 4 Life - And Beyond, (Heart) Sakura.' So it was, with a considerably lighter heart that Naruto prepared to leave the bridge, confident that Sakura would survive. Just before he began to flow away however, a voice stopped him.

-"Have a good life, Sakura-chan, I know you'll pull through!"-

He didn't pay much attention to voices anymore, considering the fact that he was dead, and most conversations relevant to him largely celebratory. The oddity here, however, was the fact that this voice addressed him directly.

-"Uzumaki Naruto! For a new ghost, you sure know how to get around!"-

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(AN: Much longer, this one,eh? Makes since if you think about it though. Naruto and Sakura have alot of history. But! Who's this mysterious voice hailing Naruto in my patented-"Ghost Speech" -? For the answer to that question and the creation of more, tune in next time. Same Fox time, same Fox channel.