PASSING SEASONS
Flowers of Spring
As the spring came and nature around the village awoke, people stopped hiding in their cosy homes and once again walked around the area, working around fields and socialising with each other outside on the street, chatting and gossiping like they always do. The trees began to turn green and the wind wasn't as cold as it was weeks before. The air was fresh and sweet, and colours turned brighter, warmer. Spring-time was Sakura's favourite season. Perhaps it had something to do with the association of new beginnings, perhaps it were the awakened minds of people who suddenly had the will and power to do anything, or might be the fact that home simply seemed warmer, cosier, even more beautiful and heart-shaking than during other seasons. She didn't really know. During spring everyone seemed to spend more time outside with friends and family, and it made her so very happy she could hardly handle the throbbing of her heart. It sounded way too cheesy but spring made more emotional than she was ready to admit.
It usually also meant she and the others became busier, but also more tired when hanging out. Ino even dozed off sometimes when they were hanging out at a bench nearby the hospital, and more often than not they caught Kiba asleep on a tree, or Hinata gaze into the distance, while they were supposed making plans for the weekend. Only Naruto seemed as bright as always, which sometimes meant he was running around solving problems or causing them – it really depended on the day… That is also why he and a few of his pupils, now that he was a teacher himself, were ready to go on a simple mission for a week or two, to help out in one of the nearby villages behind the mountain.
''You sure you've got everything?'' Sakura asked once again, as she scanned over his things he was supposed to take with him on the mission. Naruto begged her once again to help him out with that, even though he was used to do it herself. The fact that he might simply want to hang out with just her during the last few hours of him staying home, made her chest tighten a little, but she pushed the thought away and glanced at him, as he went through the list of necessities himself. ''I think it is.'' He muttered deep in thought, but a moment later he was already grinning at her, warmly and brightly as always, and her breath, once again, came out shakenly, like she was hit with an arrow straight to her heart. She quickly hid her blushing cheeks by looking around his humble home; a small open kitchen, tidy for once, the small table for four people in the middle of the place and his futon folded together in the corner. His clothes seemed to be in his wardrobe for once, and the whole place seemed far too empty for her liking – now that she knew he wouldn't be here for some time.
''So only two weeks, huh? You sure you guys aren't going on a vacation instead?'' she laughed at his playful glare. He put his backpack on his back and shrugged. ''I'm pretty sure we'll be back earlier than that. It's just a few construction works and I think there are a few boys that need a good beating, but that's about it.'' They walked out of the door and Naruto locked it, giving the key to Sakura. It was weird how not weird it became for him to give her his things to watch over. It wasn't even a question anymore.
Sakura rolled her eyes at his bragging and punched him in the shoulder. He laughed at her, and joked around like always and soon they arrived at the front village gate where the others were already waiting. His three pupils seemed to be very excited to do their first big mission, and Kakashi was already busy reading his magazine. Tsunade was giving them a few instructions and greeted them with a simple side glance. ''You guys ready?'' Naruto asked cheerfully, letting Sakura check everyone if they were prepared. Before Naruto followed Kakashi and the three pupils, who were already walking through the open gate, he turned back to Sakura one more time, wearing a gentle smile that seemed to tell more than she understood, and hugged her in goodbye, making her feel that clenching in her chest again. She dishevelled his hair, smiling at him, and bumped her fist with his before he parted with a lingering gaze.
With each step, his figure got smaller and smaller and with each step, her heart felt heavier. Tsunade bumped shoulders with her, giving her a knowing smile, but didn't say anything. And as days passed, Sakura finally came to realize that all these weird feelings she was suddenly feeling when Naruto was with her, or simply in her mind, were very much romantic affection. She missed him terribly and could not help but think about him all the time. For a long time they had been practically glued to each other, and she hadn't even noticed how much time they spent together – until now when he wasn't home anymore. She had to eat dinner alone and she had no one to walk with around the village or the surrounding area. It's always been Naruto with her, wherever she went and whatever she did. And when two weeks had passed and her heart beat like insane in anticipation to see him again, only to wait in vain, and realize that something must have gone wrong, did she feel herself panic for the first time.
''We're looking for them, don't worry.'' Was Tsunade's answer whenever she asked, and she wanted to join the search but couldn't leave the hospital just like that. Then a month passed, and a month and a half, then two, and Sakura found herself sleeping in Naruto's flat, expecting him to walk in any time now. For weeks had she been waiting, and searching occasionally when she could – only to come back without him and lie in his bed, staring at his picture, and allowing herself to cry a little. It wasn't the first time him fighting fights or wars, or disappearing and being injured, even half dead somewhere – but it was the first time she felt she might as well die if he turned out to be dead.
She wandered through his flat, staring at pictures of Naruto and all their friends, Naruto and Sasuke and her, and of Naruto and her. The fact that she didn't spent a thought to Sasuke didn't even register in her mind. But the thought of Naruto in various possible states of despair or even death, made her poor heart ache so much, she often broke down in tears. Those were also the times she remembered all the sweet moments she had had with, all the sweet smiles he had given her, and his raspy deep voice calling her name. It echoed in her mind, and she imagined him standing there in the kitchen, preparing ramen for himself and her, while she was lazing on the futon.
For two whole months, there was no sign of him and his team.
Then, a day into the new month, she was eating lunch in her flat, as she heard the bells of arrival echoed through the whole village. For a few minutes she didn't react at all, thinking that it might have been anyone really – it's been like that for the past few weeks. She refused to hope again, and be devastated again, when she'd realize it wasn't him.
But then the noise outside got louder and it seemed that people were gathering at the front gate. She just stared at the open window from her spot in the kitchen, still not wanting to hope. It took her a long time before she moved towards the window to look what was going on. The view offered her people already walking away from the front gate, but her eye caught Naruto's three students being led home by their parents, and she gasped in shock.
Sakura sprang through the kitchen door, almost falling over her shoes that were lying in front of her front door. She pulled the closest ones on her feet, jumping on one foot when she struggled to get it on right away and then ran out of her flat, down the stairs and rushed through the village to get to the front gate as soon as possible. She could hear herself breath like she were running a marathon, and she could feel her heart beat heavily against her ripcage, causing lots of pain in her chest. She really needed to work on her stamina again.
But Naruto is here. He's here! Her rushing heart almost leapt out of her throat as she noticed people moving away from the front gate. It seemed she missed the welcoming event, but she could see the golden hair stick out from the small crowd still talking, and she could feel her mind go all crazy.
''Naruto!'' she exclaimed and saw him look up, the small crowd making space for her to walk through. She leapt right into his arms and hugged him around his muscled torso, burying her face right into his chest. She felt him tense from the surprize, but soon she felt his big hands gently pressing on her back, a soft whisper of her name reaching her sensitive ears.
''Where have you been? I was so worried!'' her voice was muffled by his thick shirt, and only as he caressed her back and gently tugged at her long, now curly hair, did she finally peek up from his chest to catch his slightly hopeful, but very much surprized expression. She noticed the confusion and the swirl of emotions all over his face, but he kept it together and smiled warily at her. ''We experienced a few difficulties on our way back…'' was his crypt answer, before he looked up and around, noticing a few raised eye brows and knowing smiles from his friends and elderly villagers. He glared at them for a second, before rolling his eyes and shooing them away, he, himself pulling Sakura with him to the shadows of the front gate avenue trees, but didn't let her go. For a moment she seemed confused, but she quickly resumed her purpose.
''For two months? Kami-sama, Naruto! I was sure something had happened to you!'' her breath came out short and quick, and she could feel her beating heart rush the colour to her cheeks and shake her hands. ''Man… Naruto… Please don't do that ever again. I thought I might die if-''
''No. Listen.'' He avoided her eyes, a slightly pained smile on his face as he slowly pushed her an arm's length away. He was visibly nervous, fighting off the nasty hope that was rising in his chest like wildfire, but he had trouble controlling his trembling hands, and all-telling facial expression. Breath hitching and emotions shutting off her brain, Sakura placed both her hands on his cheeks, making him finally look at her. And what she saw in those endlessly blue, slightly wet eyes, made her face lit up, pull his face down and rise on her toes until her lips pressed on his, her hands not allowing him to move away. Her sudden intimacy shocked the poor boy and Sakura used the moment he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss and burry her hands in his wild hair. She soon felt his hands pulling her closer, giving in to her advances and desperately taking as much as she was willing to give at the moment. One of his hands held her fragile petit body closer at the small of her back, while the other held her neck to position her head in the perfect angles for him to savour her lips like the sweet juice of fresh fruit. He could hear her whimper and knew that the emotional situation was getting quickly out of control. He would soon be out of control. He subtly tried to end the gentle intimacy, but she didn't let him, only whispering his name and taking more of his lips. He could feel the happiness overwhelm him, but at the same time, he knew he had to tell her why they were so late – and he was sure this would be the last moment in his life offering her on a silver plate like that. She would never be his. Even now she might not even-
No.
He had to.
''Sakura.'' He gently nipped at her lips, before moving back a bit, opening his eyes, as she tried to kiss him again. ''Sakura, please.'' Her hair was dishevelled and her lips thoroughly kissed, swollen and shiny red, plump and ready for him to take a sip again. When she finally looked up, her eyes were still in a daze, her cheeks rosy, and his heart was in such pain, he thought he might as well die.
''I found Sasuke.'' He whispered, ready but fearful of her reaction. She didn't seem to understand what he said, because she didn't react at all.
''Sasuke, Sakura. We found him. Brought him back. He's here. With Tsunade right now.''
She finally realized what he had said and couldn't help but be surprized. They actually found the boy with dark eyes. Naruto found him and brought him back. It was such a relief. And an even bigger one that her intentions haven't changed at all. She still wanted to kiss Naruto. Dark eyes were long gone from her mind.
''That's great! You did it!'' she whispered with a smile, and saw the tears in his eyes he didn't let fall. For a moment, she thought about the young Naruto and his painful smiles, and she thought about the older Naruto, smiling sincerely as they spent time together. And now she saw the almost crying boy, trembling in her arms, frightened for the final heartbreak she would cause him if running away again. However, she had no such intentions. ''You really are incredible…'' she whispered. ''No more Sasuke, please.'' She stepped closer, hearing the hitch in his breath. ''Only you, Naruto. Only you.'' And the tears spilled from his eyes as she pressed her lips on his again. He cried in her arms as she nipped at his lip, whispering his name and holding him close. He sagged into her and gave in, his arms wrapping around her, and his mouth finally focused on her, and he became so intense and brave, and so emotional, she couldn't help but whimper as if in pleasing pain, as his lips kissed slowly and long, taking everything and giving back ten times more. When it became too much, they fell into each other, hugging and whispering confessions that were held in for so very long.
And as they sat on the hill behind the village, right under a massive oak tree, a meadow of flowers dancing in the wind spread over the hill, Naruto leaning with his back on the trunk and Sakura leaning on his chest, while sitting in-between his legs, she finally told him everything she ever felt.
''Sasuke was my first love. He hurt me many times. But I only liked him as much as I knew him – which I didn't. Not really. Not like you. When there was no sign of you coming ever back, I was ready to shut my brain off – literally.'' He pulled her closer to his chest, burying his face in her shoulder as she admitted what she almost did. Suicide was never something he ever thought about linking to Sakura – and yet she was dead serious. She placed her hands on top of his, enjoying the warmth and the comfort he was giving her, feeling so incredibly happy, she almost didn't believe it was all reality. ''Never do that.'' She heard him whisper and he placed a lingering kiss on her neck, causing goose pimples rise all over her body.
''I won't.'' she promised and turned her face to the side to look at him. He gazed at her so lovingly, his big hands gently holding her hand and his eyes only reflecting hers, she couldn't help but admit that yes – ''I'm in love with you, Naruto.'' Her chest was filled with twirling heatwaves and she could feel herself tremble a little, as she saw his face lit up with intense emotions. ''I'm really really in lov-'' he swallowed her words by kissing her lovingly, one of his hands resting on her cheek, his other still holding hers. He whispered shaky ''I love you''s in between short pecks before she leaned back a little and held his face in her hands, sipping at his lips and not giving him the chance to speak again for a very long time.
She didn't understand how she ever thought all this between could be a figment of her imagination. She'd rather have it all real as it was now.
Because it felt incredibly and insanely good. She was melting in his arms, under the warm sun and flowers surrounding them like a curtain – this was all she wanted. Naruto and just Naruto.
Only him.