Chapter 14

The Two Roses

Sorry everyone for the late update, but I had to switch from Microsoft Word to WordPad because something is up with that software. Don't ask me why. Anyways, this is a kind of happy/sad chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I REALLY bet NO ONE wants me to own Naruto right now...but wait till the end of this story! YOU WILL WANT ME TO OWN IT THEN!

Sakura awoke in her bed at home. She had just gotten back yesterday, and was still tired from the previous night. The images of her dream were still fresh in her mind, and it shook her down to the bone.

Naruto had been staring into Sakura's eyes, and his sapphire eyes were filled with depression. "Why did you let this happen?" he had asked her. "Why did you let me die?"

Sakura had immediately woken up when she saw another kunai hit Naruto in the forehead, and the image was still in her mind.

"Sakura!" Sakura's mother called from downstairs. "Come down here!"

Sakura walked down her stairs, and saw Tsunade sitting on their couch. "Tsunade-shishou?" she muttered, and took a seat next to her teacher.

"Sakura…" Tsunade sighed. "I'm supposing you haven't been well?" Sakura shook her head, and stared off into space. "You loved him, didn't you?" she asked.

Sakura stared at Tsunade, then back to the wall. "Before I knew it, he had grown so close to me," she sighed. "And I realized that I really started to love him."

Tsunade smiled at her student. "I better get going." She said and stood up. "I have to make preparations for Naruto's funeral in a few days."

Sakura watched with pain as Tsunade left. The thought of what Atsuiiki told her appeared in her mind. Only they have the power now to bring Naruto-kun back. Her words echoed through her mind. "I hope it will happen…" Sakura muttered. "Before his funeral."

There was a knock at the door a few minutes later. Sakura got up and stretched, then went to answer the door. "Sasuke?" she gasped when she opened the door.

Sasuke stared down at Sakura with sadness in his eyes. "How have you been?" he asked her, and went to go sit down.

Sakura looked down. "Not so good, you?" she asked Sasuke, and he shook his head. "Had it had a big impact on you?"

"What do you think?" Sasuke snapped. "I'm not some heartless creep that…" his voice drifted off. That wasn't true. He was a heartless creep who would leave a close friend behind and forget about them.

Sakura sighed. "Do you have to come and talk to me?" Sasuke looked up at her. "I'm in no mood to talk to you."

Sasuke nodded his head, and left slowly. "I'll see you at his funeral." He said as he left.

"I wish they would stop saying that word!" Sakura growled as she heard Sasuke's last word. So she wouldn't destroy something downstairs, Sakura slowly climbed the stairs to her room.

When she got to her room, she walked in and slammed the door shut. A sad expression flew onto her face, and she plopped onto her bed, crying. What was life worth living now that Naruto was gone from this world? Why should she be alive if the one person she loved deeply was taken from her?

Sakura-chan, don't worry. Naruto's voice echoed through Sakura's head. I won't die for a while. "If he really said that," Sakura muttered to herself. I promise… "You would be here…and not…"

"I am here, Sakura-chan." Naruto's voice sounded in the room. Sakura looked around and saw a figure of Naruto sitting next to her. "Why do you keep worrying?" he asked, and looked at Sakura with peaceful sapphire eyes.

Tears started coming down Sakura's face, and she embraced the blonde shinobi. "Naruto," she choked. "Are you really here? I'm not dreaming?"

Sakura felt an arm slink across her back and hold her tightly. "My body isn't here, but my spirit and soul are." He said, and Sakura held him tighter.

"Why did you leave me?" Sakura sobbed, and looked up at Naruto. "Why did you die?"

Naruto's smile went away. "When a person dies, they are gone forever. Only living as memories in others until they too join them in forever peace." He replied. "You know that I can still be brought back right?" Sakura shook her head yes. "You must find someone to bring me back, before my funeral. Before my body is laid to rest."

"I already know someone who could…but…" Sakura muttered.

Naruto just looked at her. "I know who can do it too. And I would probably feel terrible for the rest of my life if they did it, because you know what could happen afterwards."

Sakura shook her head furiously. "But I want you back so much!" she cried. "How can I just pass up an opportunity like this? I love you Naruto!"

Naruto looked down at Sakura, and smiled. "You know I miss you too," he said, and softly kissed her. "But do you think it'd be wise to do that?"

"If they die, it will be one famous shinobi dead, but another great one will rise." Sakura answered. "But if you stay dead, many shinobi will be grieving for the rest of their lives, and maybe some of them might not be able to go on."

"Do what you think is best, Sakura-chan." Naruto said, and got up. "I should be off. I'm almost out of Chakra."

Sakura gasped. "Wait…if you are dead…then doesn't that mean Kyuubi's dead too?"

Naruto looked at Sakura, but sighed. "Yeah, he's dead. But because his chakra and mine were combining, he is still locked inside me."

Sakura stared sadly at the blonde shinobi. "Before you go," she said, and ran up to him. "At least give me another kiss."

Naruto smiled and brought his lips to hers. Sakura brought her hands up behind his neck, and he brought his down to her waist, much like in her dream. Then their tongues intertwined with one another and began to dance around joyfully. Suddenly, the air around Sakura became lighter, and before she knew it, he was gone. "Naruto…" she muttered, and fell down on her bed in sorrow. "I was enjoying that..."

Slowly, she stood up and began walking down the stairs again. "I'll be back mom!" she shouted as she exited the house. Sakura began walking down the street towards the flower shop. Maybe the scent of the flowers will calm her nerves.

As she entered the shop, Ino came up to her. "I heard..." she muttered, looking at Sakura with sad eyes. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Sakura shook her head. "Thanks for the offer, but no." she said, and looked sadly at all the flowers. The red and white roses kept shining out at her, and it brought back her tears that she tried so hard to keep hidden.

"You remember those flowers?" Ino chuckled. "The red and white roses that Naruto-san gave you?" Sakura slowly nodded her head.

Sakura was sitting out by the river bank, enjoying the sight of the sun setting. It was her birthday today, and was hoping Naruto would pop up soon and spend it with her. But sadly, he didn't show up until the stars were twinkling in the sky.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto's voice sounded from behind her. She turned around and was staring into shining sapphire eyes. "Happy Birthday." Naruto took a seat next to the kunoichi, and smiled. "Enjoy your present," he said, and gave her about four red and white roses.

"Arigatou, Naruto," Sakura said, and greatfully took the flowers.

"Shouldn't you be with your mother instead of sitting here?" Naruto asked, and looked at the sunlight. Sakura was about to answer, but her mouth just dropped wide open. It was as if Naruto was the sunlight itself, the way it shone down on him. His blonde hair was shining even bright than the sun, and his sapphire eyes were filled with peace and happiness. The whiskers on his face were highlighted, and his smile was even cuter than before. "Ano?" he said as he turned back to Sakura.

"I-I've spent enough time with them as it is," Sakura answered as a blush spread across her face, and she turned back to the river. "I just needed to get away from them."

Naruto chuckled. "I bet it's nice though," he said. "To have a family and a parent to nag on you."

"Not in the least Naruto." Sakura answered, laughing.

"Well," Naruto said, and looked at Sakura. "To someone who's never had a family might think it's nice."

Sakura stared at Naruto with sadness. He was right. He had never known what it was like to be nagged on, only by Iruka-sensei, who in fact didn't really scold him as much anymore. "Really. It's not nice at all." she said, and kept staring at him.

"I better get going," Naruto said, and stood up. "I've got work to do tommorow."

Sakura reached out a hand to him, but he already had taken off. "Work?" she muttered to herself. "What could he have to do that we all didn't have to?"

Ino chuckled. "I remember that day. He knew exactly what flowers to get didn't he?"

Sakura nodded her head sorrowfully. "He knew what the flowers meant, and even that they were some of my favorite colors." she sighed, and tears fell from her eyes. "This hurts Ino...to think about him."

Ino slinked an arm over Sakura's shoulder. "It's okay, Sakura-san." she said, and smiled. "It's not like he's gone forever. Like he never existed."

Sakura smiled. Ino had a point. "You're right Ino," she said, and looked over at the street. The sun had begun to set. "I better get going. Arigatou Ino!"

Sakura bounded out of the flower shop, and kept thinking of those flowers that Naruto had given her. It wasn't the only thing she kept that he had given her. She had many things, all of them on her shelf in a safe place. At least they helped show the fact that he wasn't completely gone from her memories.

I think alot of these next chapters will be about Naruto and Sakura's past, then it can all total up to the exciting finale. Besides, you want to know what happened before this right? Please review!

Yamahato Yokimoko-san