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Chapter Title : Little bit of Love
"No, No a little to the left"
Naruto rolled around in his bed a bit displeased with the unexpected racket. He opened his eyes slightly to look around his room, it looked like a mini tornado had passed through by the look of things been tossed around aimlessly
"Watch it; watch it we don't want it to break…"
Naruto stood up and looked out his large window, his vision was a tad blurred but he suddenly saw a line of cherry blossoms down the main road and a great deal of decorations going up. He moved his eyes to the clock which read 11:26 a.m. You would think he would feel re-energized after such a long sleep, but that wasn't the case for Naruto.
He cleaned himself up, and was out the door in the matter of minutes.
"Oh Naruto, can you give me a hand over here."
Naruto made his way over to an elderly couple, who were trying to hang up some decorations. He greeted them kindheartedly as he rolled up his sleeves and began to help hang the bright red paper lanterns.
"You brining Sakura to the festival tonight?", asked the sweet old lady, she positioned a wide smile across her face, the wrinkles on her face multiplying as she did.
Naruto plainly shook his head, "No Oba-san"
"Oh Naruto, you should truly tell that sweet girl how much you like her before she slips out of your fingers", she teased pinching his cheeks playfully.
The old man whispered into his ears serenely, "She is a keeper, you can't wait around forever boy"
Naruto finished as swiftly as he could before the urge over took him to rush out of the village. He took a leisurely walk near the pond as he found a cozy seat near the water. He spent most of the day lying in the grass. He liked as the cold wind rushed to his face, his blonde hair tickled the top portion of his forehead as it swayed. He closed his eyes, not meaning to fall asleep but just breathe in the fresh air.
Almost an hour went by in peace however something soft fell upon his face that caused his eyes to blink open promptly. He sat up gradually from his position somewhat upset about being disturbed to notice a cherry blossom petal stuck to the side of his cheek. He plucked it off gently and looked at it. It was an exceptionally petite petal, just a touch of light pink.
"If this is theoretical supposed to be a sign, you could have done a lot little better", he stated out loud sarcastically not actually speaking to anyone in particular.
He threw the petal out-of-the-way and laid back down on his back, a few minutes passed and all seemed moderately quiet again. He shifted a little when once more he felt something soft fall on his face, but this time it was more than one time he felt something fall again and again he just laid there with his eyes closed. A soft wind blew and he opened his eyes slowly not rising from his current position.
There falling by the hundreds were cherry blossom petals, the sight in plain terms was the most striking thing Naruto had ever seen, well the second most striking thing he had ever seen. He stood up and the petals just kept falling. He closed his eyes firmly, what was he thinking that just because all these blossoms where falling that it was actually a sign. Things happen for a reason he believed that, but he also understood that Sakura wanted to be with Sasuke, no matter how much Naruto wanted to be with Sakura he would never take that away from her.
He looked up as the final few petals could be seen falling. He walked away, not turning his head once to look back. As Naruto departed out of the forest, Sasuke could be seen jumping from out of the tree a lavishing smirk rose to his face.
"How's that for a sign Naruto?"
Naruto entered his apartment again, stopping only to look at a note that was written for him by the door
Stopped by and missed you again, Come see me when you get the chance.!
your best friend,
Sakura
He pushed open his door and settled onto the messy couch, the clock read 4:52pm. He knew he had something to do, something that wasn't coming into this memory. The letter crumbled easily under his fingers as he applied pressure to the thin note. Upon being satisfied with its roundness he aimed for the trash can which he effortlessly missed. A grouchy expression landed on his face as he stood to toss the letter away, when even more racket could be heard from the main street. It looked like everything was about done being set up for the festival, and people had already begun to arrive.
"Wish I was going…', thought Naruto tiredly.
'Wait a minute…I SHOULD be going..'
It became almost all too apparent that Naruto had undeniably told Mayuko he would take her to the enchanting festival. Also looking at the clock strike four minutes past five did not help the fact that he told her to be ready by five.
"Kasa", he cursed solely under his breath, because Naruto knew there was nothing worse than a women's wrath, especially the women he was accustom too.
He found himself in front of Mayuko's door at 5:30pm. He knocked frivolously hoping she would not be terribly upset with him. Naruto didn't need the Hokage coming down on him for offended the ambassador of another village. When she finally opened the door he found a warm smile upon her elegant face, instead of a beating like he expected.
Mayuko was dressed in a dark purple Kimono with light jewelry, she never liked to dress up, but the festival would be a big deal, and she wanted to look extra appealing. Naruto was amazed to see her in a kimono. He commented on how she looked very lovely and how he was a totally jerk for being late.
"I expected it.", she commented not allowing much emotion to show.
"So what, you knew I would be late?", he asked arching his thin eyebrow upwards
"I knew you would fail to remember, you seem like the forgetful type."
Naruto cheeks allowed a chrisom red to appear knowing Mayuko wasn't entirely off base with her remark.
As they arrived to the main street, Mayuko looked astounded by the exquisiteness.
"Oh my, I have never seen a festival as stunning as this one; we don't have a cherry blossom festivals back home.
"We are simply at the entrance you haven't even seen the entire thing yet", Naruto laughed.
"Oi Naruto", came a low shout.
Naruto turned himself to the noise to find Ino and Shikamura headed toward him.
"Shocked to find you here Shikamura", stated Naruto
"I wasn't left with much of a option…", he snidely commented
Ino vigorously slapped his forearm, "I didn't force you. Shika"
Naruto thought it would be proper to introduce Mayuko, when Shikamaru cut in. "We have all been introduced to Mayuko by Tsunade, you would have known if you would have attended the meeting today.", Naruto gave a few brisk blinks trying to come up with a good excuse to baa-chan for missing the meeting.
"Don't be concerned Naruto you weren't the only one who didn't show up, the Hokage-sama won't execute you."
Naruto loosened a little knowing he wasn't the only ninja to flake out on baa-chan's orders.
"Well we would love to chat, but Shikamaru promised to win me a prize", replied Ino who pulled on his hand as she began to walk in the direction of games. Shikamaru who was usually tranquil and collective allowed a trifling blush to rise to his face, knowing Ino was pulling on his hand.
Shikamaru said his farewells and headed off, not wanting the mind reader to read his thoughts at the very moment. Next to meet Naruto was Neji, who had a stern look etched across his almost pale face.
"Neji, is something wrong?", asked Naruto a bit concerned for his comrade.
"Oh Naruto, he is all right, he is just a tiny bit mad that I beat him in a game. I ended up giving him a teddy bear, and not the other way around", replied Tenten gleefully
Naruto's warm laugh filled the air, he grabbed his stomach to stop the pain, "HAHAHA you let Tenten hahaha beat you…", he stopped instantaneously when Neji flashed him his legendary Byukagan eyes.
He ceased his laughing and rushed Mayuko along. All in all they were having a fantastic time, the festival was a great way to get his mind of… "Sakura", he whispered quietly.
Naruto looked at her from afar; she was wearing a dark black kimono with cherry blossom petals painted all around. Her hair was up and had two chopsticks sticking out that were holding it all up. She had on no make-up just her natural beauty that shown brighter than the sun. Everyone stopped to greet her as she made her way by. Sasuke could be seen straggling behind her hand in his pocket as he greeted his friends.
"Naruto", she squealed as she made her way over.
Naruto shook his head and greeted her like he always did, "Hi Sakura, you look quite lovely."
She giggled slightly and whispered into his ear, "Do you suppose Sasuke likes it?"
Naruto merely nodded his head in agreement. Sasuke made his way over and greeted Naruto.
"Hey Dobe, I am surprised you are here."
"Yeah I know actually I came with…"
Sakura cut in between the man, she stepped close to Naruto and looked at him for a brief moment. It was so strange, her eyes drifted to the top part of Naruto's head. She giggled somewhat, placing her hand over her mouth.
"Baka", she whispered gently, the apparent look of amused painted across her face.
To Naruto it sounded just the way she used to say it, when he did something amusing. He just kept looking at her uncertain of what he had done.
Sakura begin to raise her hand towards Naruto's face. Naruto felt a lump get caught in his throat, for a second he contemplated weather she was going to slap him, but her hand rose past his face and tenderly brushed his blonde hair. When her hand began to retract she showed him what she had.
In the palm of her hands lay a single pink cherry blossom petal. Naruto's eyes widened at the small petal, he reached out to grab it when Sakura pulled her hand back playfully. Sasuke merly watched the two a moment allowing that devilish Uchiha grin to widen across his delicate face.
Naruto paused as he thought a moment, until realized he had left Mayuko standing there…
"I came with my date...", he responded pushing the small cherry blossom petal from his mind, throwing the statement out of his now dry mouth.
"Date…what date?", Sasuke responded uncertainty in his voice.
Mayuko emerged from behind Naruto.
"Date", Mayuko repeated. She knew her cheeks were burning perhaps meaning they were turning red.
"You brought a date, what about Sa…", Sasuke began
But Naruto cut through his sentence mid way nervously, "Ha Ha SAI went on a mission therefore he couldn't make it."
"I went on a mission?", replied Sai standing in front of Naruto. Naruto jumped back a little when Sai's hand rested on his shoulder.
'Kasa, he has to show up precisely at this moment, doesn't he', thought Naruto bitterly
"Oi Sai, where have you been, I was just telling Sasuke here I was on a date…and he", Naruto began however it was Sai's turn to cut in.
"You are on a date, must be with Sa…"
Naruto jumped in once more, "IS everyone trying to kill me?"
Sai smiled not understanding the sarcasm in Naruto voice, "I would never try to kill you Naruto, you are my friend."
Naruto brought his hand to his face to rub in between his eyes, "Never mind Sai…"
Sasuke had heard enough as he grabbed Naruto into a headlock and dragged him off, he called back to Mayuko, Sai and Sakura who were left with blank stares, "We'll be right back."
Naruto was struggling to break free, but Sasuke had a rigid grasp around his neck, he dragged him near a corner and let go so Naruto could stand up straight once more. He looked down at Naruto who was still bent over.
"What's the issue dobe, stand up straight…"
He also bent down to look at Naruto's face, who abruptly jumped up at trapped Sasuke in the same headlock.
"Ha ha, not so humorous now is it", Naruto stated in amusement.
Sasuke struggled vaguely to get free, after a few futile attempts he answered Naruto, "Alright, alright are we gonna try to get each other in headlocks all night or are we gonna talk."
"I prefer the headlock", Naruto answered
Sasuke tugged one more time as Naruto finally let him go. Naruto looked at him with a smirk that vanished as promptly as it had come.
"What are you doing…?", Sasuke asked apparently infuriated.
Naruto stuck his hands in his pocket, "Getting into a headlock competition with you, Acting like a little kid with my best friend what does it…"
Sasuke cut in, "When are you gonna grow up Naruto, when are you going to recognize this is hurting everyone."
Naruto became silent, Sasuke and he by no means really talked like this, they joked and fought and fought and joked, never any serious talk between the two, not since the days from the time when Sasuke had been missing.
"I am doing what is right Sasuke."
Sasuke let out a little grunt, "For who Naruto, for Sakura? Not telling her the truth is that what is right these days?"
Naruto looked inherently at Sasuke, he was his best friend, his brother although not by blood but through the bonds that he had built with him.
Sakura needed Naruto, but Naruto knew she needed him as a friend, no matter how much his heart desired her.
He paused a moment as he saw Sakura approaching them from behind Sasuke. Sasuke too caught up in their disagreement to sense her, did not distinguish as she pulled alongside him inaudibly. Naruto looked profoundly into her eyes and then glanced back at Sasuke, who had by then realized Sakura was behind him.
"Sakura I'm relieved you're here, Naruto has something he wants to tell you.", Sasuke declared a little annoyance buried behind his words." He eyed Naruto allowing his onyx eyes to blaze into an instant red with little patience.
Than a thought crossed Naruto's mind, a thought that he entirely did not understand, but it was a idea that would save him from the misery of not having Sakura, and the misery of Sasuke trying to ask Naruto to pursue her when he couldn't.
Naruto tranquilly opened his mouth and let the words just spill out and what he said stunned him more than it could have ever stunned Sasuke and Sakura.
"I am in love with Mayuko…"
A/N: oh yes, another twist in the plot, don't hate me okay, but I gotta add some drama...hehehe stay tuned and please review after you read...! thanks