A sad smile came unto his lips. "I hate when people lie to me... I would have thought you'd be the last person on earth to lie to me, Sakura-chan." His words were swallowed by the howling winds and desperate snow.
This wasn't how she meant to tell him and she could easily see how he thought it a lie.
"I'm not.." she murmured, tears spilling from her emerald eyes. "I'm not lying.."
Naruto turned to the Pinkett, he wasn't sure still.. this didn't add up. She spent her whole life chasing after the last Uchiha and didn't notice him once...
How, all of a sudden, did she just blurt out her love for him.
"I was blind..." The words were being gobbled down by the winter's rush, "I was blind but.. I see it now. I would never mean anything to him.. I thought I knew what love was. I thought it was everything I could give to him. But I was wrong.. it's everything you give to me.. have always given to me. I don't deserve any single part of it all.. but you give and give.. and here I stood, hurting you even as you gave me all you had. To the point where you swore you'd bring back the man that continuously hurts us both." Sakura finally turned to him, "I love you. I know it is true now. At first I was so lost in searching for him that I didn't think. I didn't see.. but now I do. I love you, Naruto.." The words were warm and soft - filled with something he had never heard from Sakura before..
Or anyone..
It was love.
Naruto wasn't sure what he was doing but all of a sudden, his body moved to hers. His arms around her waist as he kissed her deeply, greedily taking her lips with his. He had to know. He had to feel it for himself. At first she was still beneath him, but then came her response. The heat and passion that he never thought was possible. The kiss that made him see stars and colors he'd never knew existed.
Even Kurama was stunned.
When they pulled apart, he knew.
He knew she hadn't lied and it hurt even more..
"What about Sasuke?"
"I do love him... but I'm not in love with him. He's hurt us too much, we can't keep trying to help someone that doesn't want to be helped. He needs to find his way, we can't force it.. not anymore. I'm tired and I refuse to see the man I love hurt any longer.." her words were filled with such... passion and he knew..
He knew his love was returned.
"Sakura.. we have to find him.. he's our teammate.. someone needs to believe in him.." Naruto finally whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers.
"Okay.. okay.." she smiled softly, "together though.. by each other sides.. no more watching your backs.."
"Never again." He agreed.