Chapter 5: Einstein's Return: The Broken Promise
(A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Hyuuga Neji, who perished during the Fourth Great Ninja War. A real genius until the end. R&R please.)
It's as if someone just dumped a bucket full of iced cold water at Naruto as he just stood there, staring disbelievingly at the wide eyes of Haruno Sakura. The others looked on nervously at the two of them—still frozen in shock. Unable to withstand the tension, Kiba cleared his throat.
"Ah. You see Naruto, I kinda fetched Sakura at their office so she could, y'know, talk to you. We've been having hunches these past weeks and well, we're your friends so we thought we…can…help," his voice fading upon noticing Neji's "why-are-you-saying-unnecessary-things-you-idiot" look. Choji turned away and began nibbling at his second chocolate bar. Shikamaru just sighed and approached Sakura.
"So, President Haruno. You heard the story. What can you say now?" he asked seriously.
Sakura slowly turned to face him, her eyes still wide with shock. She opened her mouth but no words came out.
Her reaction seemed to have awoken Naruto out of his trance. He slowly began walking towards the door, ignoring Kiba's protests. Once he was out of the room, he took a deep breath and said in a monotonous voice, "I appreciate your efforts guys. But I think you should apologize to Haruno. She must have been shocked."
"Oi Naruto, we're not done—" Shikamaru started saying, but said guy only ignored him and continued walking away.
Shikamaru sighed wearily, "This is just too troublesome. Why don't you try to be true to your feelings this time?" he asked Sakura.
Sakura stared at him, her previously wide eyes narrowing into angry slits, "What do you mean?" she hissed.
Just when Shikamaru was about to sigh again out of annoyance, it was Neji who intervened, "What Shikamaru means is that you should know how to distinguish 'infatuation' from 'love', Sakura," he explained, "Tell me, what do you feel about Naruto ever since this rivalry of yours started?"
Sakura lowered her gaze and stared at the floor, "At first, I was annoyed, you see. When we were in high school, he kept picking on me. I don't want to encourage him, so I kept quiet. But when I reached my limit, I sort of played along," she said softly, "I would study like a madman so I could beat him in every exam. I would stay in the library and read lots of books… It was really annoying. But as time passed by, I realized that I'm actually having fun. Before, I would spend my afternoons under the waiting shed and wait for Sasuke, even if he won't come. During the night, instead of sitting by the telephone hoping for Sasuke to call, I read in our library. Somehow, our rivalry brought the best out of me. It gave me the courage to surpass my current self," she said.
The room was quiet for a few moments before Choji spoke up, "You really like Naruto, don't you?" he asked innocently.
Sakura looked up alarmingly, "Wh-what made you say that?" she stuttered.
Choji smiled sincerely, his eyes shining, "Well, the way you talk about your rivalry…it's as if you don't regret it," he said, "On the other hand, when you mentioned Sasuke, you have this look on your face. It's like you're sad and bitter about something."
Sakura blushed furiously, "I-I-I never said that!" she retorted.
Kiba snorted, "I really think you're confusing your feelings towards Sasuke and Naruto," he said.
She tilted her head to the side, "What do you mean 'confusing my feelings'?" she asked curiously.
Kiba sighed in frustration, "I give up! Why are some women clueless? I finally understand how you're feeling, Shikamaru," he complained. Shikamaru just sighed heavily and shot him an "I-told-you-so" look.
Neji closed his eyes for a while before addressing Sakura, "What we mean is that what you're feeling towards Naruto was not the same as Sasuke's, contrary to what you may say," he added hurriedly upon seeing Sakura opening her mouth in protest, "Your feelings toward Sasuke are bordered on, you know, platonic and brotherly love, maybe infatuation also. In short, a simple…crush," he made a very disgusted facial expression upon saying the word 'crush', "Your feelings toward Naruto, on the other hand…"
"Are very complicated," interjected Choji, "Maybe you're feeling something for Naruto that you're not feeling towards Sasuke?" he asked.
Sakura nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, as a matter of fact, I—I feel happy whenever he challenged me, even way back in high school. He makes me angry and frustrated and…content," she said with a smile on her face.
Kiba grinned like a lunatic, "See! You're smiling!" he said triumphantly.
Sakura blushed. Kiba roared in laughter. Before they knew it, all of them were laughing.
Naruto continued walking aimlessly in the school grounds, ignoring the cheerleading squad's calls and the Photo Guild's nags on him posing for the school's portfolio. He only stopped when he reached the garden, which was miraculously empty save for the birds chirping and leaves rustling. He sat down under the shade of a tree and leaned back. His mind was completely in turmoil and his heart was racing like mad.
"What the hell are they thinking? Making me confess like that," he thought, "How can I face Haruno now?"
He closed his eyes and sighed. After what seemed like hours, he concluded that the peaceful environment did little to put him at ease. He contemplated on skipping his afternoon classes and going home when someone behind him spoke, making him freeze.
"Wasting your time like this, you haven't changed, Naruto."
Naruto slowly turned. His expression of disbelief turned into rage in less than a minute. Hatred filled his eyes and his entire form shook in anger.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he spat.
The shadow obscuring the intruder dissipated so that the sun was illuminating his features. His eyes were expressionless and cold, but they narrowed upon hearing Naruto's venomous tone.
"Is that a way to greet an old friend?" he asked.
"You said it yourself: 'old friend'. Therefore, I am not obliged to act all nice to you," Naruto answered back, hatred still evident in his voice, "I'll ask again and give me a damn answer: What the hell are you doing here,"
The sun was now shining brightly, clearing the last bits of shadow lingering on the person whom Naruto addressed.
"Sasuke…"
Sasuke just smirked, "Why? Am I not allowed to visit my former school once in a while?" he asked.
Naruto's patience snapped the moment Sasuke smirked. He ran towards him and grabbed his collar tightly that his knuckles were turning white.
"You damn idiot! What the hell did you just do? Huh?!" Naruto snarled, "You promised, damn it! You promised that you wouldn't leave Sakura! What did I hear about you joining that Orochimaru fraternity?! Are you really out of your mind?! Answer me!"
Sasuke just eyed Naruto's shaking form passively, "I told you. I want Itachi to suffer in jail. Only the Tribe of Orochimaru can give me the power to do that," he answered.
His answer only made Naruto angrier. In a flash, he pinned Sasuke on the ground.
"ONLY?!," Naruto spat, "What are we, Sasuke, some forms of inanimate objects just lying around?! We're your friends! We can help you! Why join some fraternity who only wants your family's wealth and power when you have us? We're not going to ask something in return! You know us better than that!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes dangerously upon hearing Naruto's outburst, "What do you know?" he said venomously, "That...murderer killed our parents so that he can get his inheritance! He fled to god knows where and your families refused to have anything to do with our family! Now, you're telling me that you're my friends?!" he pushed Naruto off of him and stood up.
Naruto fell on the ground and looked up at Sasuke. His eyes widened upon seeing Sasuke's expression: he was absolutely angry and serious.
"Naruto was right, Sasuke. You have us. Why did you leave?" a familiar voice asked, slightly shaking.
Sasuke turned around. His expression changed slightly from murderous to cold. He raised his eyebrows upon seeing Sakura standing before him, her hands clasped tightly and her eyes threatening to fill with tears.
Naruto stood up, "I'm sorry to ask this from you, Sakura, but please leave. We're settling something here," he said seriously.
Sakura eyed Naruto, her expression unchanging, "I hope you understand, Naruto, that I have something to settle as well," she said.
Sasuke drew a deep breath and addressed Sakura, "Well, isn't this surprising. I bet that you have killed yourself the moment you found out about me joining the fraternity. I'm shocked to see you alive," he mocked.
Sakura's eyes widened while Naruto growled. "You bastard…" he hissed.
"What are you getting so worked up for? She's the one who can't live without THE Uchiha Sasuke, right? To tell you honestly, Sakura, those times you were so…obsessed with me, I cherished them. You were so agreeable that you will do anything I asked of you. But your constant tailing and hero-worship attitude that you always have ever since we're children are so annoying. Just imagine the peril of putting up with you everyday just so I can get information on Itachi's whereabouts. What a pain," he said.
Sakura's eyes filled with tears as she asked in a wavering voice, "Y-you mean to say t-that you—"
Sasuke smiled evilly, "Bingo, Sakura. I just used you for information. Funny that a smart girl like you can be so stupid to things like these. You became useless the moment your family gave up on the Uchiha case. That's why I left and joined a fraternity," he explained nonchalantly.
Naruto was boiling with anger and hatred. How dare he use Sakura and hurt her feelings? He will make him pay, oh he will.
Just when he was about to lunge forward and beat the living daylights out of Sasuke, Sakura suddenly walked up to him and slapped him—hard.
The intensity of the slap made Sasuke stumble back. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his mouth, which he wiped away.
Naruto looked at Sakura whose tears were cascading down her cheeks. Without another word, she turned her heel and ran.
Just as Naruto was about to go after Sakura, he turned and faced Sasuke, who stood up staggering.
"Remember this well, Sasuke. I will never forgive you for what you did to Sakura. Get the hell out of here or I swear I'll commit murder right here, right now," he said venomously.
Sasuke just smirked before walking away. When he was far enough, he called over his shoulder, "Take care of Sakura, Naruto. Tell her to stop looking for me. I chose this path, so there's no turning back."
Naruto turned around swiftly. But when he was about to confront him, he was gone.
(A/N: Whew! Finally done. Sorry for making Sasuke such a big badass in this chapter. Two more chapters to go! R&R please!)