Two Sides

Chapter 3: Weak Little Kunoichi

The sun's last rays pierced the sky, bathing the world below in gold. I walked leisurely through the streets, being careful to keep my head up high and shoulders straight. It had taken me thirty full minutes to decide what to wear – and in the end I decided to just go with my kimono that I usually wore. But I'd put on light blush, lipstick, and eye shadower – nothing obvious so that I looked like a clown, but just a faint trace of make-up that highlighted my natural features.

Like your fore brow?

Part of looking good was thinking that you looked good. If you shuffled through the dirty streets with your head bowed, no one would think you're pretty. Well, actually, maybe they would. I don't know. Ok fine I'm just saying stuff to make me feel better; I really hope that I'm not going too casual.

I was kidding. You look fine. And besides, it's a ramen stand. You're not supposed to dress up to something like that.

I smiled lightly as I came to Ichiraku. I delicately lifted the hanging letters, ducking as I stepped inside.

"Good eeevening, little lady." I looked up to see the ramen shop's owner.

"Good evening," I greeted the elderly man. I glanced around. Naruto sat at a stool all the way on the right, close to the wall. My first instinct was to mumble an apology to the shop owner, turn around and walk out, and take a stroll around town till Sasuke-kun and Sensei arrived. But-

Our promise!

Yeah. I'm not going to break my word.

"Something I can get for you?" The stand owner asked.

I turned my attention back to him, smiling lightly. "Thanks, but I'm going to wait until my friends arrive – then we can all order together. They should be here soon."

The man nodded in understanding, his paper white hat bobbing with him as he did so.

Naruto looked up at the sound of our voices. He broke out into a grin as soon as our eyes met. "Hi Sakura-chan!" He said rather loudly, so that the rest of Konoha could hear.

Smile and sit down next to him.

I took a deep breath and smiled, sitting down next to Naruto. "Hello, Naruto," I said in a voice softer than his.

There was an awkward moment of silence between us. Naruto's eyes fell down, and he fidgeted with the clasp on his orange jacket.

Don't just sit there, start a conversation, stupid.

"So, uhh… I take it Kakashi-Sensei invited you here?" I asked.

Lame.

Shut up; you think of a better topic.

Naruto, would you like to kiss me?

…On second thought, I'll be the one thinking of conversations.

"Yeah," Naruto's smile flickered, eyes shifting between mine and the countertop.

Naruto acting shy? Weird.

Cute.

"U-uhm… Sakura-chan…" Naruto began. I waited for him patiently, resisting the urge to throttle the sentence out of him. Fortunately I didn't have long to wait. "You look really pretty today!" He blurted out suddenly.

My heart began thudding even louder in my chest, my mouth went dry. I blinked blankly at him. Wow, Inner Sakura had been right… he so totally did love me.

Cha! Score!

"I-I mean," Naruto stuttered, playing even more furiously with his jacket's clasp. "Normally you don't look so pretty," he babbled.

I frowned. "I don't normally look pretty?" I repeated, any trace of nervousness disappearing. My face flushed slightly. Maybe he didn't love me. Maybe this was a big misunderstanding, and Naruto was being stupid again.

"N-no!" Naruto wailed, tearing out strands of his hair. "Sakura-chan-"

I clenched my fist and pulled it back to hit Naruto. He couldn't get away by calling me ugly! I was about to bring my hand crashing forward on the boy's head, but someone's hand closed around my fist. I tilted my head upside-down, finding…

"Kakashi-Sensei?" He was beginning to have quite the record of sneaking up on me. I blinked at him.

"Woah now, are you two already trying to kill each other?" Sensei smiled slightly at me, his one eye twinkling.

"Sorry, Sensei…" I apologized, lowering my fist. My flush began to fade… until I saw who was standing next to him. "S-sasuke-kun," I stuttered.

Beside Sensei, Sasuke-kun stood coolly, hands tucked in his pockets. The sun's fading rays bathed him in ethereal yellow light, highlighting his normally dark hair. He nodded once in acknowledgement to me.

Sensei took a seat one away from me, leaving a chair empty. Clearly, Sasuke-kun was supposed to sit there. For a moment, he didn't make any motion to the seat. Almost like he was reluctant to sit by me…

…or maybe he was too caught up in staring at me. His eyes held mine captive. My face began to glow a fiercer red. I broke the spell, and turned quickly around to the front of the counter.

Naruto leaned against the counter, one arm supporting his head. He glared at Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke-kun slid smoothly into the seat. I stole a side glance at him; he wasn't staring at me anymore; thankfully (what was that all about, anyway). Instead he had folded his hands, as if he were praying (I knew better than that), and kept his eyes closed.

…My, you've been unusually quiet, Inner Sakura.

I'm giving you your 'drool over Sasuke' moment. Don't let me stop you. Please, continue to drool. I'll be on the floor gagging if you need me.

Ugh, I should have never even said anything.

Thought.

Whatever!

"Sakura-chan," Naruto said. I jumped slightly, coming out of my reverie. "What are you going to eat?"

"Is there even a choice, loser?" Sasuke-kun answered for me, not even opening an eyelid. "It's a ramen stand."

"I meant what kind of ramen," Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke-kun.

"Naruto!" I frowned at him again. "Act mature."

"He started it," Naruto's tongue slithered back into his mouth. He crossed his arms and turned away from Sasuke-kun.

We ordered our ramen. I couldn't even finish a whole bowl, but Naruto and Sasuke-kun chugged theirs down like nothing. They glared at each other all the while they shoveled food down their mouth. They both slammed down their bowls at the same time. "More!" They shouted simultaneously. The ramen stand owner filled up there bowls promptly. He was going to make a lot of money this night. Stupid Naruto and Sasuke-kun had somehow both gotten into a silent eating contest. At least I wasn't going to pay the tab.

Poor Kakashi… I feel sorry for the guy.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. This was so not the way I'd envisioned this evening.

Were you expecting sparks to fly and a first kiss or something?

I don't know… I suppose I should have suspected something like this, though. Sasuke-kun and Naruto are more interested in their stupid rivalry than me. I was just a background character in their lives. How could I ever even think they'd like me? This was real life, not a fairy tale…

And fairy tales don't come true…

I found myself blinking rapidly, the air growing oppressive. My heart beat in my chest, and I could hear the clock ticking down my time. I didn't have time for this idleness… I needed to choose between Sasuke-kun and Naruto; choose fast!

Sasuke-kun put down his (sixth?) bowl of ramen. He'd actually halted eating and stared at me. Oh great, was there something on my face?

"Sakura?" Sasuke-kun's voice wavered.

"Y-yes?" I stuttered, blushing as my voice cracked. I flinched at the weakness of my own voice.

His dark orbs seemed to pierce through me, as if he could somehow see into my soul. I squirmed beneath his omnipotent gaze. "Are you ok?"

Why wouldn't I be?

A raindrop fell on my lap.

The sky is clear of clouds.

"Sakura-chan, you're crying!" Naruto exclaimed. Evidently he had also stopped shoveling food down his face long enough to notice.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, and sure enough, left wet smears on my hand and face. When had that happened? Now that I'd finally noticed, I wondered how I could have possibly missed it before – a warm substance which trickled down my face, as if reluctant to part with me.

"I'm fine," I stated, quickly rubbing out the rest of my tears. Now Naruto, Sasuke-kun, and Kakashi-Sensei were staring at me. I looked forward to avoid their gaze, but my eyes only met the ramen stand's owner.

Great.

They don't have to stare like it's a freak show...

I stood up, letting my bangs hide my eyes. "Sorry guys, I... I just need some time alone." I began to walk away from Ichiraku. I didn't know where I was going, or what my team would think, but I didn't care. I just didn't want them to see me like that. Shinobi should never reveal their emotions.

The people on the streets really didn't seem to notice me. I was fine with that. Actually, I was glad with that. I'd rather have them not stop to say anything. Yet at the same time, somehow their callousness angered me. How could they not even take a second of their time to find out why a girl like me was crying?

I didn't want my team to... to think of me as... weak. I knew that I wasn't as strong as those two physically, but I always liked to believe I had some mental or emotional edge over them. Well, I obviously didn't have the emotional edge now. And who would want to marry a weak little kunoichi who stressed out over a simple mission that most girls would kill to have? Choosing someone to marry was supposed to be fun.

They gave you, a twelve-year old, a mission to do in one week, which most people do in years, Sakura. It is o.k. to be overwhelmed. What would Naruto or Sasuke do in their position?

A wry smile escaped my mouth at Inner Sakura's logic.

Probably run around screaming until time let out... then the Hokage would force them to marry someone randomly in the village.

Exactly! See! You're braver than you think.

Maybe...

It was then that I noticed footsteps were following me.

I ran.

A/N: Next chapter she'll get some one on one time with a certain someone, I swear. Unfortunately... I probably won't be updating for a while. I need to work on some college essays and applications. Sorry. So here's chapter 3 a day early.