Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters therein (heehee, although i wish i did :))
No One Knew
A capricious breeze blew that evening, sending showers of gold, russet and scarlet leaves whirling and dancing. The sun was just beginning to set over Konohakagure, bathing the entire village in a warm, golden glow which seemed to cause the hustle and bustle to slowly die down.
Shop keepers hastily packed up their goods and closed for the day. Cheery farewells were bade as children departed for home. It would seem the whole village was scampering, fleeing, retreating into their homes where scrumptious dinners awaited them.
But there they were, walking side by side, undisturbed by the scurrying people they passed. Both seemingly lost in a world of their own. Their hands were not linked, and there was about a foot or so of distance between them. Yet their footsteps were synchronized, as if they have been doing this everyday of their lives, since the day they were brought into this world. And maybe they had, for day after day, rain or shine, they were seen like this. Just walking in silence. It had become a daily ritual now, and no one knew when they had started, why they did it, or where they were headed. They just did.
Did they plan this daily stroll? Meet up somewhere perhaps? No one knew.
She had her head up, gazing into the distance, while her hands rested behind her back. He studied the ground intently, dark bangs hiding his eyes from view. His footsteps were heavy as he stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. He seemed to be deep in contemplation. Not once did either cast a sideward glance at the other.
Were they a couple? Or were they just two people who happened to be walking the same route? No one knew.
It was silent now, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon and night began to spread its veil around them. And still, neither had uttered a word. The first star was out, and she raised her head to admire it. Her doe-like eyes sparkled as she did so. A silent smile adorned her porcelain face. Not a wide toothy grin she used to smile so many years ago—just for him. It was simply an upward curve of the lips. Her rosette hair was still kept at shoulder length, and she still wore the red dress she did then, along with the ninja sandals. She was a weak Genin then, always having to be protected by her team. Now, she was a highly-skilled medic, trained by none other than the Godaime Hokage herself. Sure she had changed—she had become stronger.
But had her love for him changed as well? No one knew.
They were approaching the bridge where they used to wait for hours for their ever-late, Icha-Icha-Paradise loving Sensei. The boy looked up finally, inhaling the scent of the night air. His dark bangs still framed the side of his face like they used to, his onyx orbs still held that angst, albeit somewhat mellowed down now he had sought his revenge, that used to draw so many annoying fan girls to the Uchiha—and still did now. Besides the fact he had grown taller, more lean, nothing much had changed about him.
Were his feelings for her unchanged? No one knew.
The cat claw moon was now high in the sky, marking the end of their little ritual. "Sasuke-kun," his name tumbled out from her lips with such familiarity.
She used to whisper his name repeatedly until she drifted off into dreamless sleep every night after he left in search of Orochimaru. She had loved him with all her heart, it was evident to everyone. And when he left, her heart had been shattered. As the years went by, her eyes had regained their shine, her heart mended, and it had seemed she had gotten over him.
Did she still love him now? No one knew.
"Sakura," he breathed. His voice has deepened. The annoyance that was etched into his voice every time he said her name was now gone. Then, she was but another annoying fan girl to him, always seeking him out and proclaiming her love for him. He loathed her for that. But now, his voice held respect, friendship and… something else.
As they say, absence makes the heart long. Had he discovered his love for her after all those years of being away? No one knew.
Some said her love for him had waned over the years, washed away with all the tears she shed for him. They were probably nothing more than friends now. Others said he'd never loved her before, and probably never would.
No one really knew for sure.
The moonlight danced across her pale skin, giving her an almost angelic glow. Leaning in on tip toes, she placed a soft, chaste kiss on the raven-haired boy's surprisingly warm lips.
But he knew that she loved him.
And he snaked an arm around her, pulling her against his chest.
And she knew that he loved her too…
More than anything in the world. And that was all that mattered.