A Tale of Happiness and Sorrow

Written by: Wind Sage 00

Chapter 2

The sound of birds chirping could be heard upon the calm sunlit morning outside Sakura's house. The morning sun had long since risen above the village, and the early riser was still fast asleep in her bed. Sakura lay half way on her bed, her clothes from the previous day still on, and her shoes still fastened to her feet. She wasn't sure what time she had gotten back to her house; nor could she remember how she had gotten there in the first place…Slowly, things began to shift back into focus as she recalled the events from last night.

(To herself) "Naruto…that's why I was up so late. I was looking for Naruto."

Sakura then remembered the scene of Naruto and Hinata upon the Hokage's ridge; the two coming together and Hinata kissing Naruto ever so softly, just as the morning sun was bathing the village in a brilliant flash of light.

(To herself) "Hinata…I can't believe she would do something like that. After what he just went through, how could Naruto suddenly have feelings for her? I mean, he was clueless to her feelings for so long, what changed last night? How could he do that?"

A thought entered Sakura's mind…Why did she care what Naruto did? Sure she was very concerned for him on his loss of Jiraiya-sama, and as his teammate and friend she wanted to help him during that time.

(Sarcastically to herself) "He obviously had some help from Hinata last night though…"

Again Sakura thought, why did she care what Naruto did? Shouldn't she be glad Hinata finally mustered the courage to show her feelings to Naruto; and Naruto now had someone to console him?

Yes, she agreed with herself, that was very good…but then why…Why could she not shake this awkward feeling of mixed emotions sinking into the very depths of her being…Half conscious, she continued to lay on her bed thinking about it over and over again.

"Sakura! Time to get up honey! You have things to do today!", said Sakura's mother.

(To herself) "Ugh...its way to early to be getting up now…"

As she pulled herself up onto the bed and rubbed her sore neck, she continued to be haunted by the question of why she felt the way she did about this whole thing.

At around the same time, Hinata was preparing morning tea for her father. She took the kettle of water and began pouring it over the crushed tea leaves in a small tea kettle. As she was preparing the tea, Hinata began thinking of the wonderful dream she had last night. Naruto-kun had walked and talked with her and she had not fainted at all.

(To herself) "Ohh…If only I could really talk to Naruto-kun like that…

As she drifted into her dream once again she recalled the two of them upon the cliff overlooking the sunrise…And then they…

"Hinata! Watch the tea!", Hiashi shouted.

"Ohh! I-I'm sorry Father. I'll clean it up.", said Hinata.

"Please make sure that you do, and try not to make any more of a mess.", he grumbled.

As Hinata began to wipe the tea from the drenched wooden floor, she began to blush at the memory of that one single moment with Naruto…

"Oh what a good dream! That's everything I thought it would be and more…if only…if only I could really tell Naruto-kun how I feel."

Later that day, Sakura was running some errands for Tsunade-sama, the 5th Hokage, when she saw in the distance Hinata walking along the same path. Sakura quickly hid behind a nearby sign as her heartbeat raced violently.

(To herself) "Oh no, what if Hinata saw me spying on them last night? She doesn't look like her normal self, what should I do?"

"Oh, hi Sakura-chan.", said Hinata.

Sakura felt an icy grip rush all over her, she'd been found. Slowly, she turned her head and walked down the steps as she tried to muster the most polite smile and hello she could make.

"Oh hi Hinata. How are you?"

"I'm alright, thank you. Sakura…D-Do you know where… Naruto-kun…is right now?"

Sakura felt the same icy grip rush over her again. So she wasn't noticed last night, but it seemed Hinata definitely noticed Naruto. What should she say? Should she tell her that she didn't know, or should she lie and say he was busy? Just then…

"Oi!!! Sakura-chan!"

(Both Hinata and Sakura to themselves) "Naruto!!!"

As Naruto ran toward the pair, the two of them felt a wave of panic sink in as he approached.

"Sakura-chan, Sai said you were looking for me. Is everything ok?"

Sakura sat there a bit dumbfounded. He had approached her and not Hinata; no, he hadn't even noticed Hinata yet. But Naruto seemed happy and cheery this morning, much different than she had pictured him being after hearing the solemn news…What was going on?

(Looking confused at Sakura's blank stare) "Hmm? Oh hey Hinata, what are you doing here?"

(Nervously) "N-Naruto-kun...", said Hinata faintly.

Her head became dizzy once again, as the dream of her and Naruto together on the cliff came back into her mind. She started to feel light headed and fell backwards toward the street. At that moment though, a puzzled Naruto quickly put his arms behind her and caught her as she fell.

"Oi, hey Hinata? Hinata!? You ok?"

(To herself) "The way Naruto went to go help her now…he must have feelings for her after all. What am I saying I…"

"Sakura, is she ok? Is she sick or something? Why is she always fainting?"

The next thing Naruto knew, he too was flat on his back and unconscious as Sakura lunged at him and sent him spiraling into a nearby wall.

(Softly) "…Sakura-san…what did I do?"

(To herself) "Oooo! Naruto! Of all the stupid things to do, he practically goes all over Hinata last night and can't remember a thing?!? On top of that he now asks if she's ok to the girl who's mad they kissed in the first place! Wait…No, what am I saying? I'm not mad at him. It's just…Oooo Naruto!!! You get me so mad!"

With her head held high and arms crossed, Sakura stormed onward down the path to continue her errands, leaving an unconscious Hinata and battered Naruto behind.

END CHAPTER 2