Number 6: Enough
She would sit beside him on those dark nights when she had nightmares, and bury herself into his side. The only reciprocation would be a careless shift of the arm on that side out of her way, and the subtlest lessoning of the tension in his chest that made him all-the-more comfortable. He wouldn't touch her back, but it was enough. It was always enough.
Number 7: Ice Cream
Sakura couldn't have been more embarrassed, sitting there sobbing over some stupid dog that she didn't even know, but she couldn't seem to stop (much to her horror.) I mean, it was an accident, a badly thrown kunai. How could she have known that it wasn't her utterly capable teacher hiding in the bushes, but a helpless dog? Suddenly, the implications of their training seemed so much darker. So when he suddenly appeared behind her, she braced herself for getting the very tar beaten out of her. How surprised she was when a gentle hand landed and squeezed her shoulder comfortingly before offering to take her to get some ice cream, bells laying forgotten on his hip.
Number 8: Imaginary
He likes to pretend sometimes, that he was someone different. No, that's not quite right. He likes to pretend some of his old errors had never occurred. He pretends he and Obito grew old together, and sweet Rin and the Uchiha fell deeply in love. He imagines that Obito destroys the young Itachi before the family can be annihilated, that Sasuke grows up a normal kind boy with a real gift, and love in his heart, like he always could have. Sasuke is kind to the blonde loud girl, and they care for one another, and he is too strong to die on missions, and she stays home at the hospital, saving people. Sakura and little Naruto, who's friendship with this new Sasuke is deep and touching, grow close with the loss of Naruto's obnoxious mannerisms and so everyone finds someone to love. Obito and he grow old together, friends to the end. But as he stares down at the memorial stone, he feels a tender hand take his, and suddenly it's all going to be okay, because somewhere along the way (or maybe every single step of the path) he was brought to her. And he can't say he regrets a second of it.
Number 9: Date
So maybe star gazing wasn't the most stimulating activity for a first date, if you could even call this strange nighttime encounter even that. No talking, no contact, like I'm all alone he observed. Not a date. Not a date, that is, until she turns over and rests her head on his chest with a muffled "g'night," and of course, falls promptly asleep. No need for talking, he decides and nods off himself, secure in that knowledge that no one would find them curled up together in the ear of the late Hokage (or rather his large stone replica.)
Number 10: Heartless
A new name to visit at the memorial stone. He's grown used to feeling this kind of loss, but it has changed and developed into something of a routine. The ceremony had been full of the people who knew and didn't know her, and yet it seemed they all knew exactly who he had been (to her) so he wasn't surprised at the cruel whispers behind hands. Heartless, they'd said when he didn't cry, cold. Jaded, a few kinder ones would defend halfheartedly. Silently, he would agree with the cruelest, because he couldn't imagine having a heart and feeling so utterly dead.
Yup, so that was part two.
I do not own Naruto or any related trademarks (i.e. sakura and kakashi) I'm simply borrowing them temporarily.
Reviews of all nature are kindly appreciated.