Chapter II: Redemption
The two trudged back to Konoha, awkwardness was thick in the air and it felt hard to breathe, Naruto felt sick. He dared not to break the silence between them I really have failed Sakura…even after so much time I've done nothing…now she doesn't even want to try anymore…
Sakura looked at her feet as her throat felt tighter, unable to cry but still wanting to. She had been trying to be nicer to Naruto, but lately everything he did seemed to annoy her.
As the two passed through the gates to Konoha, they silently parted, both wanting to say something to the other but their hearts would not allow it. Naruto felt too depressed to even look at Sakura, much less speak as he trudged back into the village towards his house. Sakura was too caught up in a flood of thoughts and emotions to part her lips as she made her way to the training grounds to let out some emotion.
Naruto opened the door to his house and dragged his body inside, falling to the couch, staring at the ceiling fan turning lazily. He let out a deep sigh, not wanting to move or breathe, the overwhelming feeling of guilt held him in place. I just don't know what to do… he battled in his head. I'll go see Shikamaru…maybe he can talk some sense into all of this And by sheer will Naruto broke his inability to move and lifted himself off the couch and out the front door again, heading towards Shikamaru's apartment.
Meanwhile, Sakura was letting out her frustrated thoughts on a small mountain in the middle of the training grounds. The other ninja's there took a break from their training to stay out of the pink-haired girl's way. With a final blow she landed a punch which shattered the remaining rocks and she made her way to a grassy hill. The other ninja's came out of hiding as Sakura laid down in the grass, bruised and sweaty, watching the clouds pass by in the blue sky above.
---
Naruto knocked on Shikamaru's door, a glum look still on his face. When Shikamaru opened the door he raised an eyebrow once he noticed Naruto's face. He doesn't have that usual grin plastered to his face…this is going to be troublesome. "What do you need Naruto? I was watching the clouds on the roof when you woke me up."
Naruto tried a weak grin, "Well I hadn't seen you in a while and I thought I'd stop by on my way home and …"
"Naruto, I live nowhere near you and since when have you ever looked so depressed, tell me what's wrong before you make this too troublesome." He groaned
"Well…" Naruto said, looking away, "I need to talk to you about Sakura…"
Shikamaru cocked his head "…oh?"
---
The breeze blew gently, catching Sakura's hair and playing with it. She let out a deep sigh, trying to figure out what was going on. It had already been several years since Sasuke left the Leaf Village but the images were still fresh in Sakura's mind. Then again…they weren't. The memories were already starting to fade; no longer did the tone of Sasuke's voice still haunt her ears, or blurry tear filled images cloud Sakura's eyes. Was she forgetting? No…she was accepting it, and yet she clung to it desperately. Damnit, am I trying to NOT get over this? Maybe I just needed something to cling to…some shard of a broken memory to cherish and hate. Sakura rolled over, propping her head up with her arms, Maybe I have just been clinging to a past that's long gone, afraid to move on cause I don't know what the future may bring…Maybe…I just need to let it go, and embrace the future…take risks and move on with my life before it slips away on a rapid of broken dreams.
---
Naruto explained the situation to Shikamaru who frowned, "So you're saying you no longer know how to make Sakura happy?" Naruto nodded solemnly, "Well Naruto, keep something in mind. Back when Sasuke left, we pursued him because he was a Konoha Ninja, a comrade. But over time that connection he had with that village and us dissolved. Sasuke is no longer part of this village, and therefore you really have no reason to continue perusing him"
"But Sakura wanted him back! I can't go back on my word!"
"Sakura said herself that you need to get over it, from the sounds of it she's moving on and therefore you have too, you've fulfilled your promise to her to the extent that is possible."
Naruto looked down, "Yea I guess…but I just want Sakura-chan to be happy…"
Shikamaru sighed, "You worry about others too much, and you should do what makes you happy, and act on it. Otherwise you're going to spend your life standing in the shadows being used. If you want to be with her, then go do something about it."
Naruto thought for a moment, "Alright, hopefully she's still at the training grounds. Thanks Shikamaru" he said with a big goofy grin on his face, running off towards the training fields.
Shakamaru let out a deep sigh and laid on his back staring at the clouds, "Relationships are so troublesome."
---
"So Hinata, what have you been up to lately?" asked Kiba, lounging against a rock, a hand resting on Akamaru's head. The small dog from years past had grown to gigantic proportions.
"Oh nothing much, just a lot of training with Neji. You know Kiba it amazes me how huge Akamaru has gotten, I could almost ride him!" Hinata giggled.
"Well that's not the only thing that's huge and ride-able" Kiba smirked
Hinata blink, confused, "Huh? What do you mean?"
Kiba fell over, with a sigh of frustration, "Oh never mind…"
Hinata blinked a few more times, "Well if you're sure…"
"Yeah, yeah, no problem, say, what were you talking to Naruto this morning?"
"Oh…" she blushed, "I asked him to go out with me, but he said no"
YES! Kiba thought to himself, "Oh I'm sorry to hear that, he's nuts for turning you down."
"No it's ok, I know he'd rather be with Sakura, he always has, I guess I was just being hopeful."
This is my chance! "Hm I suppose so, so…are you planning on going out with someone else instead?"
"Hmm, no I don't think so… not for a few more years I think."
DAMNIT! "Hmm well…if that's what you really want…I would just think it be a shame for a girl like you to go so long without a kiss from a handsome man that will sweep you off your feet…"
Hinata turned an even brighter red, "Actually I've never had a real kiss from a boy…"
"Oh really?" Heh heh jackpot "Well it's easy" he smirked moving in a little closer to Hinata "You just put your lips together and….AKAMARU!" The massive dog just decided to relieve himself on Kiba's leg. Hinata giggled as Kiba gawked at his soaked pant leg, "The older you get the more of an attitude you get! Great, and these were my favorite pair of pants!"
Hinata smiled, "Well it looks like you have some cleaning up to do, I need to meet Neji is 10 minutes for training, so I'll talk to you later alright Kiba?"
Kiba hung his head, "Yea, alright, see you later…" Another perfect opportunity lost…
---
Sakura's eyes were closed, laid out on her back, the warm sun played across Sakura's face. Well that's it then, I'll defiantly move on, its time to let the past go and move on into my future. She silently thought to herself. Suddenly a shadow blocked out the sun and Sakura's eye fluttered opened and she smiled at the face looking down at her.
"Hello Sakura, lovely day isn't it?"