Chapter 4
The sun was setting on Konoha, another productive day coming to an end. Naruto, Neji, Lee, and Sasuke had finished training a short while ago, and Naruto had gone back to his comfy flat to get ready. Was he going on a super-secret S-rank mission? Was he going to battle the Akatski? No. He had freshly showered and changed into new clothes…to be waiting a little away from Sakura's house. Why was he waiting a little away from Sakura's house? Naruto's blue eyes scanned up and down the street, anxiously. There were still the last few trickles of people, walking down the street, hurrying to their own homes, coming back from work, or running last minute errands before the day ended. Naruto felt his heart speed up, when he saw a familiar figure walking up the street, pink hair shining in the dusk sunlight. Naruto felt that he would so rather take on the Akatski than what he'd have to face right now. Naruto gulped, but brought into his memory, the warm green eyes with a sparkle of mischief in them, perfect lips curved in a playful grin, slender arms propped on her waist, always mocking Naruto. He saw the figure slow down, and Naruto wondered if Sakura recognized him.
"Hey, Sakura-chan," he croaked out as she walked nearer to him. Sakura's green eyes widened a little.
"Hi, Naruto, what's up?" she asked.
"Mind if I come in for a little bit?" Naruto asked. Sakura shrugged, and opened the door to her house. Naruto followed her in.
"Come up to the sitting room," Sakura said, feeling a little awkward. What could Naruto want at this time of day? Naruto followed Sakura upstairs, and they sat opposite each other on different arm chairs. Sakura felt a spiking feeling in her throat. Was Naruto here to ask her out? She seriously hoped not. She had hoped that Naruto's crush on her had subsided over the three years that he had been away…but…
"Well, I'm not really sure how to do this," Naruto began shakily. "And any ways that I know seemed to immature to use on you. You're just so…cool and collected. And intimidating a lot of times."
Sakura cracked a smile. "I should hope so!" she said jokingly. "I try very hard to be intimidating, you know!"
Naruto didn't answer, and she felt a pickle of worry. Oh, well. She thought.
"Sakura-chan I love you!" Naruto exploded. Sakura cringed.
"Naruto, do you even know what that word means?" Sakura asked seriously. She saw the hurt building in Naruto's eyes but she ignored it.
"I know what it means, because all I feel is love for you!" Naruto said.
"Naruto, I've always said this to you, and I'll say it again!" Sakura said. "I don't want to go out with you!"
"Why?" Naruto cried. "Is it because you still love that Sasuke?"
That hit a nerve. Sakura didn't feel like pouring out all her innermost feelings out to Naruto. Seriously, how ironic would that be? That boy only knew how to joke around. He couldn't be serious to save his life. A voice deep inside Sakura, much more secretive than Inner Sakura, whispered that her previous statement hadn't been all true. She ignored the voice decidedly, because she wasn't used to hearing it.
"I have always loved you Sakura! That Sasuke cares nothing about you. How can he make you happy?"
"And are you implying that you can make me happy?" Sakura asked coldly. "I'll admit, Naruto, I was a little caught off guard by you actually trying to make it seem formal in you asking me. But the answer will be the same as always."
"Just give me a chance!" Suddenly Naruto was at her side, his fingers brushing her cheeks. Sakura felt her stomach flip inside out.
"No, Naruto!" she shrieked.
"Sakura?" her mother called. "What's going on?"
Naruto looked at Sakura, pain in his blue eyes. "Fine, Sakura. If you are sure that's what you want."
"I've never been surer." Sakura said coldly. "See you around, Naruto."
Naruto leaped out of the window, and Sakura fled to her room. She crashed onto the bed, burying her face in her pillow. She knew she'd done nothing different than what she'd normally do. She had never liked Naruto! If she was so sure of herself, then why did she feel as if she had made the wrong decision?