Okay, so I personally LOVE this chapter. It was so beautiful to write and guess what? I'M CONTINUING THIS STORY! WOOT! Lol. Yes I'm going to finish the entire plot instead of just stopping like I wanted to. I've gained a boost in my abilities so yeah, I want to finish ^^ THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! OMW, I'm on a sugar high ^^
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Naruto T-T
Chapter 9
– Simplicity –
ONE MONTH LATER
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BRING
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BRING
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BRING
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BRIN-
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BAM
"Shut up," Sakura grunted as she woke, "It's too early to wake us," she whined, wincing at the gentle beams of sunlight filtering into the room. She blinked sleepily, rapidly as she pushed herself to a sitting position. 'Is it seven already?' she asked wistfully.
"You've got to stop breaking the clocks like that Sakura-chan," Naruto dreamily stated, stretching himself while yawning. She'd demolished four clocks in a mere week thus far. "Clocks cost money," he added warily while lazily rising from his prior slumbering position. 'But,' he thought, 'I'd gladly buy a new one if it meant Sakura was sleeping beside me every morning.'
Sakura's eyes rolled playfully as her vision cleared. She turned to Naruto and smiled gently, "Good morning," she whispered.
He returned her smile willingly, "Good morning to you too." Then he pulled her into his bare chest, embracing her lovingly. Digging his face into her rosette locks, he inhaled her shampoo – cherry blossoms. She relaxed against him, melting in his grasp. 'I love waking up this way,' she thought blissfully.
He inhaled deeply, "I think we better get going," he exhaled, "Otherwise Baa-chan will be mad." Sakura nodded, releasing herself as she climbed off their queen-sized bed. Her feet touched the beige carpeted floor as she stretched meticulously. She then stepped to the nearby tiled bathroom of the apartment they owned.
Naruto exited the bed and walked to the dark painted cupboards where he tugged on a drawer. His work clothes, jeans and a plain t-shirt greeted him. He removed the items and pulled the jeans over his boxers and the shirt over his head. He looked to the hanging mirror and ruffled his sun-kissed blonde locks before grinning.
Leaving the room, he entered the lounge which was situated by the walk-in, door-less kitchen. Once there he approached the fridge, opened it and removed three eggs. One for Sakura, two for himself, 'Sakura-chan doesn't eat much in the mornings,' he thought, grabbing a pan.
He placed the metallic pan on the gas stove and turned the knob, igniting a flame. He cracked the eggs and poured them into the oiled pan, watching them sizzle. He effortlessly tossed the broken shells into the bin opposite him, pumping his fist as they landed inside the black plastic container.
"Sakura-chan!" he called, voice echoing, "Breakfast is ready!"
"I'm coming!" she responded, appearing moments later. She'd tied her short locks into a small ponytail while two bangs hung beside her face. Light make-up coated her face, lipstick and mascara as she smiled. She wore a pair of tight, faded three-quarter jeans with a long, light pink, decorative shirt. Gold bangles littered her right arm, glinting in the early sunlight. Pink and white pumps covered her feet protectively.
"How do I look?" she asked teasingly as she clipped a diamante earring into place. Naruto nodded approvingly as he presented her egg to her. She took the plate gratefully before settling at the rounded wooden table. Naruto followed.
They ate peacefully, silence lingering, birds chirping and sunlight streaming.
"Tsunade said she's going to show me how to insert a drip today," the pinkette announced as she ate. 'Tsunade-sama said I really have talent, even at my age' she thought proudly. 'And I love working with the patients. Nursing is a fulfilling job.' She smiled softly; the past month had been utterly wonderful.
'It's only been a month but it feels like more than that,' she sighed, 'It feels as though my old life never existed,' she pleasantly realized. 'It feels as though Naruto and I never went through all of what we did.'
"We better get going," Naruto stated, glimpsing the wall-clock. "It's already seven thirty," he mumbled, rising and collecting the plates.
"I'll rinse them, you finish getting ready," Sakura offered and took the plates willingly, ushering him to the bathroom. He grinned while nodding, then sprinting to the bathroom.
Sakura watched him, shaking her head lightly. He was childish, unbearably childish yet she loved him despite that. Sighing, she rinsed the plates thoroughly and lathered a sponge with soap. She swiftly cleaned the white cutlery before positioning them on the drying rack. 'It's amazing how I leaned to wash the dishes so quickly,' she thought, drying her soaked hands. 'But I suppose the situation called for it. Naruto and I have learned a lot in just one month.'
She looked to the window, gazing the lush scenery as she recalled the night they'd arrived in the tiny town.
-----
Sakura giggled wildly as they streaked through the countryside, the Hayabusa cruising easily upon the unused road. She'd no idea as to where they headed, nor did she care. She was free. She and Naruto were together and leaving everything behind.
Nothing could be better as they raced through the midnight atmosphere.
"What are you giggling about?" Naruto playfully queried above the engine's roar. Yet he knew she was feeling the freedom he was experiencing. The wonderful freedom. Better yet, they were together and nothing would come between them.
They belonged to no world, no society and no stereotype. They merely belonged to one another.
"The fact that we're finally together," she replied cheerfully, hugging him closer, tighter. "The fact that nothing will ever pull us apart again, that's what I'm giggling about."
Naruto nodded while pushing the speed up, loving the acceleration. They'd been traveling for two hours non-stop with little baggage. They'd momentarily stopped by Sakura's house, fetching few necessities – such as clothes before reaching his apartment. There he'd packed few clothes and left a note and cheque for Shikamaru as he knew the pineapple haired manager would search his room.
Then they'd abandoned Konoha, leaving all behind.
Soon they arrived in a small town, miles from Konoha and secluded from all. Naruto had parked by the nearby bar and he and Sakura entered.
"Aww Tsunade-hime!" a voice called, clearly drunk. "Please!"
It was that night the pair met Tsunade and Jiraiya.
-----
"Sakura-chan," Naruto sang, snapping the pinkette to reality. "Are you okay? You drifted into space for a second there," he stated as she shook her head slowly.
"Sorry," she apologized, "I was just thinking." 'Ah, it's nice remembering that memory,' she thought as Naruto clasped her hand, leading her out the apartment. She followed willingly.
The vivid scent of abundant vegetation greeted them and Sakura sighed pleasantly. Naruto pulled her to the stairs before jogging down them. (They live on the 3rd floor) Sakura kept pace and they muttered 'hellos' to various neighbours before arriving in the parking lot.
They located the Hayabusa and Naruto mounted, making space for the pinkette before starting the engine. It purred softly as he reversed, Sakura clutching his waist, and then sped off.
-----
"Morning Shishou," Sakura greeted, entering the vibrant hospital. "I'm excited for today," she stated while grabbing her uniform. 'Ah another day of work,' she thought happily.
"You're early Sakura," Tsunade Senju, owner of the hospital, announced warmly. "But that means we get started earlier," she continued briskly, appearing beside Sakura swiftly, despite her age. 'She's so eager to learn,' the blonde haired woman thought gratefully. 'And she's got unbelievable talent.'
Sakura smiled widely, "I've just got to go change." Tsunade nodded as Sakura left, inhaling the clean, medicinal scent wafting around. It smelt heavenly, clean and fresh. She'd built this hospital from mere dirt, grime and dust. It was her child, she'd never allow it to break, fall or crumble.
It'd been a month since Sakura had stumbled to the town, Naruto beside her. They'd no money, no shelter, no food and no plan. 'I had no choice but to immediately offer her a job. Jiraiya of course introduced Naruto to Kakashi and Kakashi gave him a job,' she recalled, sighing. 'They were lucky Jiraiya and I were in the bar when they arrived.'
'Otherwise, they'd have a problem,' she thought grimly and sighed gently. 'But Sakura has brightened up the place somehow.' She smiled pleasantly, grateful for the young pinkette.
"Okay Shishou," Sakura announced, dressed in her white nursing uniform, "I'm ready!" she enthusiastically finished. 'I've changed,' she thought wryly, 'A month ago I'd never be caught dead in these clothes.' Her emerald eyes rolled, 'I'd never be caught in anything that wasn't designer.' She shivered temporarily, 'I'd never have survived if I kept that attitude.'
'No, I wouldn't have. But I'm glad I did, otherwise I'd never have the wonderful life I have now.'
----------
ONE MONTH PRIOR
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata called, voice echoing through the shared bedroom. She frowned when the blonde racer wasn't in sight. 'I wonder where he could be, it's late,' she thought, glimpsing the clock. It was 11pm. It was raining violently, he couldn't have gone out.
Her frown deepened as she searched the mansion, looking for the blonde. 'Where are you?' she queried the M.I.A racer. 'Please don't tell me you got stuck in this horrible storm Naruto-kun,' she thought with worry. 'It would be like suicide if he was driving in this weather.'
'Besides, he has a meeting with my dad tomorrow morning,' she thought, 'He wouldn't miss it for the world.' She sighed with defeat. The blonde was nowhere to be found. This worried her. Say he was injured? Say he was kidnapped? 'Ridiculous,' she reprimanded herself. 'Naruto-kun wouldn't get himself into that situation. He'd be-able to fight off everyone that tried.'
She then retreated to the bed chamber, disappointment manipulating her. 'I'll just sleep in his favourite shirt tonight,' she decided, stepping to the walk-in cupboard. 'He wasn't wearing it today so it's probably still in the dresser.' She began rummaging through his possessions, searching for the worn shirt.
'I really wanted to be close to him tonight,' she sighed, still searching, 'I wanted us to be together on our second day of being married. It would build our bond together, the bond that'll eternally keep us together.'
She smiled lovingly, clasping her heart before her phone rang.
She fumbled for the metallic device before checking the caller ID:
Sakura's Mom
Hinata was taken aback, shocked as she answered. "Hello? Mrs Haruno?"
"Hinata," Mizuki Haruno sounded desperate, "Is Sakura with you?" she queried, voice erratic. "She hasn't come home yet and I'm worried. Also some of her clothes are missing so I was wondering if she wasn't maybe sleeping over at your house?" she asked hopefully.
Hinata bit her bottom lip, head shaking, "No Mrs Haruno. Sakura isn't with me and I have no idea where she is or where she would go. Have you tried Ayami or Ai?" she questioned, referring to Sakura's minions. 'I wonder where Sakura-kun went?' she asked herself, somewhat concerned.
"No, no," the older Haruno stammered, voice cracking, "I'll phone them now. But if you see or talk to Sakura please ask her to come home."
"Will do," Hinata responded before ending the call. She sighed, 'Sakura-kun… Where'd you disappear to?' she lazily queried as her hands grasped paper in Naruto's cupboard. She frowned, confused, and tugged the papers free. They were neatly, carefully folded and she timidly unfolded them.
They were signed divorce papers
Hinata staggered back in wild shock, hitting a wall as she dropped the papers. Her heart raced, breath increased and body shook as she stared at the evil document. "D… Divorce?" she muttered, unable to speak. There was a date by Naruto's signature.
May 28th
Today's date
The Hyuuga heiress nearly fainted.
Another note caught her attention and she fumbled to attain it. She the opened it, greeted by Naruto's handwriting:
Hinata-chan
Your head is probably full of questions right now, isn't it? I'm sorry I can't answer them personally but I'll try to clear everything up in this letter.
Firstly, I wanna say that I'm so, so sorry. (I'm assuming you've found the divorce papers) and that I do love you, just not in the way you want. You're my little sister, not my lover.
Secondly, I'm running away with the love of my life. Please don't try looking for us because you won't find us because we'll just keep running. I know this will hurt you a lot but I can't live in a loveless marriage. I'm so sorry.
Thirdly, please don't look to the Konoha Motor Club, they don't know anything. Hell, we only decided this a few hours back. Also, I hope you won't take away any of the money I've given them. They need it.
And fourth, you don't have to sign the papers right now. In fact you can take as long as you need but please don't throw them away. I know this is going to sound manipulative but they say if you love something you should set if free ne?
Well that's all for now, so goodbye Hinata-chan.
Naruto
She crumbled to the floor, tears streaming and body wracking as she wailed. Her sobs echoed unevenly and her screams filled the room. 'Why?' she repeated, 'Who?'
It was then she realized that the love of Naruto's life was Sakura, Sakura Haruno.
Her best friend
----
CURRENT TIME
"Whew, what a day," Naruto sighed, flopping onto the bed ungracefully. "We had several cars come in today. It's like everyone wants to get their car serviced for some reason," he whined, snuggling into a fluffed pillow.
Sakura shook her head from within the bathroom. She tied her locks, washed her face and brushed her face before stepping out the room. One of Naruto's shirts hung over her body, reaching her thigh before pink boxers puffed out down to her knees. She grinned mischievously before running forward and leaping onto the fallen blonde.
Naruto yelped as Sakura assaulted him yet he grasped her giggling form and held her tightly. Soon he joined her raucous laughter and they rolled wildly on the bed, tickling one another playfully.
This continued for some time till Sakura screeched for mercy.
Naruto grinned, her figure on top of his, as he pecked her forehead, his hand caressing her reddened cheek. She blushed but held his gaze as she wrapped her arms round his neck, tenderly massaging the muscles.
He shivered pleasurably before softly claiming her lips, closing his eyes blissfully. Sakura returned his loving gesture with sweet tenderness. She sighed and smiled against his lips, knowing this gentle, soft kiss trumped a wild, lust-filled make-out.
The pair broke for air, panting and blushing as they locked gazes, never intending to break their untouchable bond.
"I love you," Sakura whispered, her words sincere.
"I love you too Sakura-chan," he responded as she lay her head in the crook of his neck, snuggling herself into him comfortably. Naruto welcomed her, resting his head against hers.
Then, they both whispered:
"Forever."
Mmm, wasn't this a nice chappie? As I said, I LOVED it n.n ^^ I hope you guys do too! Also I hope everything made sense and whatnot! I'll elaborate more on their story in the next chapter. I just wanted to show how happy they were atm!
Love
Lorey*