Chapter 16 – Naruto's Chapter

Sometimes I really hated Sasuke even though we were best friends. He was cool even though he didn't even try. He was smart and was passing all his classes effortlessly. He was the star on the baseball team and could get any girl he wanted. But he didn't have Sakura-chan. Sure she acted all obsessed with him but I know it was just to spare his feelings and to not upset her and Sasuke's parents since they were so for them to be together. I knew this because that's what Ino's been telling me since middle school and she was Sakura-chan's best friend and so she was a reliable source. Sometimes I'd doubt Sakura-chan's love for me by how she mooned over Sasuke and how she'd be mean to me but girls were like that sometimes, right?

I really liked Sakura-chan. I liked her long hair and how she smells. I liked how smart she is and how pretty she is. I wished she had bigger boobs and that she were nicer but those things could change with time. I also wished she'd be honest about her feelings with me. I would welcome them with open arms. I began to doubt that she would ever confess her feelings to be but then in October she asked me to walk her home.

"Naruto, I have a question," She spoke as we walked.

"What is it, Sakura-chan?"

"Would you want to go out with me?"

My heart raced. Sakura-chan asked me out! She did love me!

"Yes!"

"Great," She smiled and kept walking.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked her.

"I don't care."

"Want to go to Ichiraku?" I hoped for a positive answer.

"Sure."

"When do you want to go out?"

"How about Friday night?" She offered a time.

"Yeah. Let's do it."

"Great. Here's my house. Thanks for walking me home," She thanked me and went in her house. Sakura-chan and I were going out! Believe it!

Nothing could have ruined my mood that week, not even failing my math exam. I was so happy Sakura was going out with me. Of course I didn't brag about because I knew Sakura-chan would probably get embarrassed. I didn't want her to change her mind at all.

"What's wrong with you?" Sasuke asked while we ate lunch that Friday. I grinned.

"Sakura-chan asked me out," I could not stop myself from bragging. Sasuke cocked an eyebrow then looked from me to Sakura-chan then back to me.

"Sakura asked you out?" He didn't believe me.

"Believe it! We're going to Ichiraku tonight."

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Jealous, Sasuke?"

"No," He snorted and continued to eat his tomatoes.

"Sasuke-kun!" The red bitch called Karin appeared. She practically flung herself on Sasuke.

"Karin," He looked bothered. I didn't know why he put up with her. He said that when they first met she had a great knowledge of baseball so he talked to her then they were assigned to be science partners then he found out she was the baseball coach's daughter so he had to be nice to her or possibly be altered on the roster should he offend the coach by offending his daughter. He would do anything to do well I baseball. He'd probably marry her if a career I baseball was insured.

"Sasuke-kun, wanna go out tonight?" She pressed her big boobs against him. I couldn't wait to see her disappointed face when he rejected her.

"Sure." Hell had frozen over.

"Great!" She squealed and began shooting out ideas for their date.

"I'll just pick you up," Sasuke stated and sent her away.

"What the hell are you doing? You hate her!"

"I don't hate her," Sasuke sighed and kept eating, "I need to keep my spot on the team."

"You need to get your priorities straight!" I was disgusted.

I tried to forget about Sasuke and Karin as I got ready for my date with Sakura-chan. I actually showered.

"Where are you going, Naruto?" My mom stopped me before I could walk out of the door.

"On a date."

"A date? Minato!" She called for my dad who came immediately.

"What is it, Kushina?"

"Naruto has a date!"

"With whom?" He looked eager to know as did Mom

"Sakura-chan," I blushed.

"Sakura? I thought she liked Sasuke," Mom was ruining my pre-date high.

"Her taste must have improved," Dad smiled.

"I guess so. But is Naruto really old enough to date?

"Kaa-san!" I groaned.

"Let him go, Kushina. Have fun with Sakura-chan," He patted my head then slipped me some money. Dad was great.

"You better tell me everything when you get back!" Mom yelled at me as I ran out of the house. I couldn't be late for my date with Sakura-chan.

When I reached Sakura-chan's house I rang the door bellonly for her dad to open the door.

"Naruto?" He stared at me confused.

"Is Sakura-chan at home?" I asked.

"I'll call her down. Sakura, Naruto's here!" He yelled then looked me over, "Why are you here?"

I blushed.

"We're-"

"We're going out on a date. Bye, Otou-san!" Sakura-chan appeared, grabbed my arm and took off before her dad could say anything. Once we were far enough away, she slowed down.

"Sorry. I just didn't want him stopping us," She explained.

"That's okay. You look really pretty," I smiled.

"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself," She smiled back.

"I showered." Why did I say that?

She laughed. She laughed really hard. She shook her while smiling.

"You're hilarious," She sighed and we kept walking.

When we reached Ichiraku, we ordered some ramen. Sakura-chan slurped so prettily. She and I talked about school and normal stuff. It was really fun. She then excused herself to use the restroom.

"Are you two on a date, Naruto?" Teuchi asked me. I nodded. He gave me an approving nod and a thumbs up.

"A ramen shop? That's so surprising, Sasuke-kun!" the shrill voice made me look over my shoulder. In walked Sasuke with Karin clinging to his arm. He looked annoyed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Ugh. What are you doing here?" Karin spat at me.

"We just came for ramen," Sasuke told me the ordered some food.

"Naruto, do you think we could-" Saskura-chan stopped when she reached me and saw Sasuke and Karin.

"Are you two on a date?" Karin kind of laughed at us.

"Yeah," I didn't get why she would laugh. Sakura-chan sat back down by me and ignored the other couple.

"Naruto, do you think we could go to the park after we finish here?" She asked me.

"Sure," I agreed, "Check, please."

"It's on the house, Naruto," Teuchi winked to me.

"Thanks," I grinned then I waved by to Sasuke. Sakura-chan and I left and walked towards the park. I was talking about how great Teuchi was and how much I loved going there. Then I realized Sakura-chan was crying.

"What's wrong?" I asked her stopping her.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I'm sorry," She cried and started to run off.

"Sakura-chan!" I ran after her and easily caught her by the swings.

"What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" I asked while holding her close. She just kept crying and apologizing. I made her to sit on one of the swings and sat on the swing beside her.

"Sakura-chan..."

"Naruto, I'm so sorry," She said again.

"What are you sorry about?" I was confused.

"I'm sorry I asked you out."

"Why?"

"Because I'm leading you on."

"Leading me on? "

"Naruto, you've always been an amazing friend but I only like you as a friend. I knew you liked me and so I took advantage of that and asked you out even though I like someone else. I'm an awful person," She started crying again. I was a stunned by her words but I was not really surprised. Despite Ino's words, Sakura's actions always revealed the truth. I knew she was truly remorseful and I could not stay mad at her.

"You're not an awful person," I said.

"I am."

"No, you're not. Awful people don't confess their wrongs to the one they wronged."

She still did not look consoled.

"Sakura-chan, why did you ask me out?" I asked.

"I…I wanted to make Sasuke-kun jealous. I was told that dating another boy would make Sasuke-kun jealous. I wanted to see if it would work on Sasuke-kun and you're his best friend so…" She looked down shamefully.

"I see."

"It didn't work. He was out with Karin. He was out on a date with her. He likes her," She sobbed. I knew the truth about Sasuke and Karin and even a little truth as to why Sasuke showed up at Ichiraku. He was using Karin for good standing with the coach and…to make Sakura-chan jealous.

"He doesn't like her."

"What?"

"He doesn't like her. He's just using her."

"Using her for what?"

"Baseball…"

"Baseball?"

"Her father is the coach."

"Oh, I see…"

"Yeah…"

"I'm still sorry, Naruto. I shouldn't have used you," She apologized again.

"It's okay. If being used by you means we go out, use me all the time," I shot her a smile. She finally cracked a bit of a smile then lost it.

"Why are you always so nice to me, Naruto?"

I blushed. Because I like you is what I wanted to say.

"Because you're my friend," is what I ended up saying. She got off the swing and hugged me.

"I really love you, Naruto," She hugged me tight but I knew she meant it in a sibling way.

"Let's get you home," I took her hand and we began walking. We were silent for a while.

"You know if you really want to make Sasuke jealous you should not pay him any attention and go out with me more," I informed her.

"I couldn't do that. I mean I can't use you any more or try to trick Sasuke-kun," She shot me down.

"Well, if you change your mind let me know. I'm ready to be used," I grinned. I dropped her off at her house and earned a kiss on the cheek. I learned the truth of Sakura-chan's feelings that night. I also hated Sasuke a little more that night not just because he had Sakura-chan's heart but because I saw how he was pushing Sakura-chan and I did not like that.