Chapter 4: The Confrontation: Uzumaki Unmasked
(A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone! Sorry I took long in updating. But here it is! The latest chapter. R&R please!)
While Naruto and Sakura were gazing at the beauty of the setting sun, another man in a distant place was glaring at it. His eyes narrowed when he heard the door open.
"So, are you ready yet? You'll miss the plane if you keep lingering," said a malicious voice.
The man did not respond. He simply turned around and walked past him without even glancing at his direction.
The other man simply let him go. But once he was out of sight, he smiled evilly.
"You've become really emotionless, Sasuke."
After their time together at the gymnasium, Sakura began avoiding Naruto. She won't stay in the same room with him, let alone talk to him. Whenever his name was mentioned, she'll stiffen and hastily mention another topic to discuss.
Her fellow student council officers began noticing her strange behavior and became troubled by it, especially Ino. She tried talking to Sakura but she simply waved off her concern, telling her that her "observations are ridiculous" and that she "has absolutely no idea what she was talking about". Ino, knowing full well Sakura's behavior when pressed with such issues, decided to let the matter rest. She talked to Hinata and Tenten about it and convinced them to wait for Sakura to be the one to open up the matter.
Of course, Ino privately talked to the guy in concern. Naruto never failed to notice Sakura's behavior and it bugged him. He and Ino had a shouting match at the garden, which was only stopped when Shikamaru and Neji dragged Naruto away. Ino, in all her patience, tried to convince Naruto not to bug Sakura, but "that yellow haired idiot didn't even want to listen!" she protested to Tenten when Naruto and his friends were gone.
Unbeknownst to them, Sakura was watching the heated exchange between Naruto and Ino. She felt guilty about it, since Ino has absolutely nothing to do with her issues on Naruto.
"I'm sorry guys. I guess… I'm being foolish about this."
The following week, Sakura resolved to voice out her thoughts to her friends. She realized, with a small sense of regret, that her attitude had them worried.
Needless to say, she was a nervous wreck upon arriving at their headquarters for their weekly meeting. She rehearsed everything she needed and wanted to say before going to bed, but she felt that she will forget everything once she's already seated. Yet, she maintained her calm façade. She is, after all, the president, and she cannot afford to look undignified.
When she opened the door and entered the headquarters, she was extremely surprised to find all her officers seated at their respective seats, patiently waiting. Sakura blinked. Usually, she was the first one to arrive, and then Hinata followed by Tenten, and lastly Ino (because according to her, she "has an image to maintain").
Upon noticing her, they all smiled.
"So, I guess we won't be having a meeting, right Sakura?" asked Ino.
"We do believe you have some explaining to do," said Tenten.
"Don't be hesitant Sakura. You can…tell everything you wanted to tell us," Hinata said quietly.
Sakura just looked at them, confusion clearly evident on her face.
"I… don't understand," she said slowly, "How did you know?"
Ino sighed, "We've known each other for quite some time Sakura. Hinata and Tenten are our classmates since freshmen year, while you and I grew up together. Of course we know if you've got something to say."
Tenten stood up and forced Sakura to sit down, "Now, spit it out. Why are you suddenly avoiding Uzumaki? Did he do something to you? You want us to talk to Dr. Tsunade?" asked Tenten.
"No, no. It's not like that," Sakura answered quickly, "And there's no need to talk to Dr. Tsunade either."
"Did he…break the rules again?" asked Hinata tentatively.
"No, he did not. As a matter of fact, he's pretty good lately," answered Sakura.
"So, if he did not do anything wrong, does that mean he did something right?" demanded Tenten, already frustrated.
Sakura opened her mouth to answer, but suddenly she was lost for words. Instead, she lowered her gaze and banged her head on the table.
"SAKURA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" shouted Tenten.
"Th—that's dangerous, President," said Hinata frantically, "You—you could have hurt your head."
Sakura's head shot up, "I don't know what's wrong with me! At first Uzumaki completely annoys me because of our rivalry. The next minute he drives me insane! He makes me totally confused! I don't understand! Why did I find him…cute when he smiled at me last time? Why is it that I felt nervous all of a sudden?! I don't know anymore!" she ranted desperately.
All of her friends were gawking at her. For the first time, Ino and Tenten were lost for words. Hinata looked at her sympathetically.
Upon noticing their reactions, Sakura panicked, "What do I do?! What do I do?! I don't understand! The last time I felt this way was towards Sasuke!"
Tenten gulped, "Oh my… don't tell me…" she trailed off.
Sakura was on the verge of having a breakdown, "What?! Tell me please or I'll go crazy!"
Ino stood up and went over to Sakura. She knelt before her and held her hands. "Sakura, I think what you're feeling towards Uzumaki was the same with Sasuke's," she said carefully.
Sakura's eyes widened, "Meaning?—"she asked tentatively.
Ino searched her eyes carefully before saying, "Sakura, you're in love with Uzumaki Naruto."
Suddenly, the door opened and all of them looked up in alarm.
Sakura's eyes widened, "Y-you are…" she stammered.
"Naruto, would you stop pacing around? You're giving us a headache," complained Shikamaru.
Naruto just glanced at him before pacing the room again. Shikamaru just sighed and continued reading.
"I know how hard it is for you to keep calm but take into consideration the feelings of others, will you?" said Neji while putting on a pair of boxing gloves.
"It's not that!" retorted Naruto, "I'm trying to reason logically here! I don't know what I did to Haruno for her to avoid me!"
Choji opened a pack of chocolate and shoved one bar in this mouth. "Mfybjo, yngo dndt rohb nybvkng wrng," he said.
Naruto and the rest stared at him. "Would you please just swallow your food first? Only you can understand what you're saying," Shikamaru said.
Choji chewed his food quickly and swallowed, "Maybe, you didn't do anything wrong," he said, "I think the one who has a problem here is President Haruno."
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and thought deeply. Suddenly he grabbed Choji's broad shoulders and grinned at him. "Yes Choji, you're right! Judging by the way she's acting, I bet she was confused," he said. Choji stared questioningly at him.
Shikamaru sighed, "Neji, tell me you understand. I don't want to do something as troublesome as explaining," he complained.
Neji nodded, "Naruto, you mentioned that Sakura's been avoiding you, am I correct?" he asked.
Naruto nodded his head vigorously, "Yes. That's why I've been thinking if I did something wrong lately."
"And you mentioned that the last time you spoke to each other, which was when you cleaned the gym, she looked at you differently, right?" Neji pressed.
"Y-yeah," Naruto answered.
"You also said that the look she gave you was like the look she always has for him," Shikamaru stated.
Naruto's features darkened. He merely nodded his head.
Shikamaru sighed, "You know, hiding your feelings from Haruno Sakura and keeping quiet about that promise won't do you any good. You're only hurting yourself."
"Shikamaru's right, Naruto. Besides, I think you have a chance now," Neji said, smiling slightly.
Naruto's head whipped at Neji's direction, "What do you mean?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Neji looked at him in the eye, "Haruno Sakura's in love with you Naruto."
Shikamaru grasped Naruto's right shoulder, "No need to hide your feelings, Naruto. We knew that you set up this rivalry thing to cheer up Sakura and make her forget him, even for a while. Who knew that the great Uzumaki Naruto knew kindness?" he sneered playfully.
"You also knew from the start that he left, didn't you? That's why you planted firecrackers at your former Headmaster's office at your former school so that you'll get kicked out and transfer here," Neji narrated.
Naruto's eyes widened, "H-how d-did y-you…" he trailed off.
Neji just grinned, "Don't underestimate the Hyuuga Family, Naruto. Shikamaru's family isn't the only one with an Intelligence Bureau," he said.
The door opened and Kiba entered, "I'm back. Sorry I took so long, "he said.
Choji sighed, "You missed all the drama, Kiba. I feel sorry for you," he said in an overly dramatic but mocking tone.
Kiba just shrugged, "So, what's up? Finally making Naruto admit his feelings?" he asked.
Choji grinned, "We're almost there," he said.
Kiba snorted, "C'mon Naruto! Just come clean and say it!" he exclaimed.
Naruto was now avoiding everyone's eyes, "What?" he asked innocently.
Neji gave an annoyed sighed, "Hiding it won't do you any good Naruto, or do you want us to force you?" he threatened, giving emphasis on the word 'force'.
"ALRIGHT! I ADMIT IT OKAY? I'M IN LOVE WITH HARUNO SAKURA SINCE GOD KNOWS WHEN! BUT SEEING HOW IN LOVE SHE IS WITH SASUKE, I TOLD THAT BLACK HAIRED IDIOT THAT IF HE EVER MADE SAKURA CRY, HE'S ANSWERING ME! HE PROMISED ME THAT HE WON'T DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT! SO I FREAKING LEFT THEM! BUT WHEN I HEARD THAT HE JOINED SOME NOTORIOUS FRATERNITY AND LEFT SAKURA BROKEN HEARTENED, I CAN'T SIT STILL! HOW CAN I?! ALL THOSE YEARS OF SEEING SAKURA WAIT FOR SASUKE AND THAT GUY NEVER SHOWING UP… IT'S GRATING MY NERVES! HOW CAN SHE LOVE AN IDIOT WHO ONLY THINKS ABOUT FINDING HIS BROTHER AND HAVING HIM LOCKED UP IN SOME DAMN PRISON?! I'VE BEEN SO STUPID! WHY DID I EVEN TRUST SASUKE?!"
Naruto breathed heavily. Everyone in the room was not moving a muscle. Kiba cleared his throat.
"You heard him, didn't you? Now, do you believe me?" he asked loudly.
The door slid open. Naruto's eyes widened in shock and his entire form was frozen. Words left his mind and his breathing became labored.
Standing on the threshold is none other than Haruno Sakura.
(A/N: Yes! Finally done with this Chapter! Please wait for the next chapter.)