So...
It's been a long time. And I apologize.
I still hope people read my story.
And also...I'm sure this chapters a bit OOC.
I wasn't trying to beat around the bush...just...
I want to make sure I define Sakura's struggle with her feelings...
And get Sasuke's slow realize of his own down perfectly.
Anyways, I'll be picking this up again...but the chapters might be a little shorter.
But I still have all my idea's in place sooo...that's good!
Also! I have a new poll on my page! Check it out!
I hope you enjoy--and please review!
Give me your thoughts...suggestions...criticism...anything!
I missed you guys hehe!
ALSO! I've decided to give you my photobucket site...these are pictures of some of the characters in my story...
It's how I imagine then looking when I write, you know? So this is just to give you an image...
I have the titles on there so you match it up! Review and tell me if this is useful.
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www . photobucket . com / sammerzjean
Password: dangerouseternity
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Chapter Twelve:
Avowal Of Veracity
"When I close my eyes and wonder where you are, and you wish upon a star..."
"Hey, Sasuke!"
"What's up, Sasuke!?"
"Hi there, Sasuke!"
"Hey, Uchiha!"
-
Naruto and Sasuke were siting at picnic table in between a line of booths on either side of them. Sasuke never really realized how many people knew he was back...
But everytime a girl walked by...
He kinda figured it out.
He was poking at a bowl of ramen in front of him. After the presentation of ranks, he and Naruto decided to get something to eat before they had to go help with preparations for the fire tonight. For some reason...though the shinobi were being honored...they also had to work.
Naruto plucked a sweet dumpling off the stick and shoved it into his mouth. He had an empty bowl of ramen in front of him and was now on to the next part of the meal.
"These are so good! I love 'em!" He shot Sasuke a devlish look, though Sasuke didn't notice. "I'd offer you one...but I know you don't like them." He popped another one into his mouth and chomped away.
"Sasuke Uchiha! Hey!"
Naruto watched all the girls...of many ages...walk by and spare a few glances at Sasuke. It wasn't exactly bothering him. He found it quite amusing because Sasuke never once bothered to return the greeting to either of them. Sasuke only kept his eyes down on his half eaten bowl of ramen, letting out the occasional sigh.
"Sasuke! Sasuke! OoOoOoOo Sasuke! You're a pretty popular guy!" An older woman's voice sounded from next to Naruto.
Anko appeared on the stool Naruto was sitting on. She slipped her feet underneath the picnic table and was sitting on the left side...right across from Sasuke. She gave him a mischievous grin and snickered a bit. "Quite the ladies man, huh? I always knew you were." She pointed her finger at him and he looked up at her, only to glare at her with disgust. Naruto pulled off another sweet dumpling and turned to face Anko.
"So wha errr you oing toay for thiz fesival?" He mumbled, mouth full of food. Anko sighed heavily and reached for one of his sweet dumplings.
"Absolutely nothing! I had to get up early this freaking morning and decorate the whole place! I'm beat." She brought it to her mouth and threw it in, letting out a 'mmm' in satisfaction.
Naruto grunted. "I don't get why we have to help out when we're the ones this festival is for!" His voice was clearer with his food swallowed. He pushed the empty plate ahead of him next to the empty bowl.
"Life sucks, Naruto." Anko muttered mockingly. She looked over at Sasuke, who still hadn't touched his ramen. Her face twisted into a frown and she looked over at Naruto. "What, doesn't he talk?"
Naruto glanced at Sasuke and then sighed looking off to his right at all the hustle and bustle around them. "Yeah...when he wants to. But I think he's all talked out. He talked a lot last night."
Now Sasuke's eyes shot up at Naruto, narrowing. His head never moved from staring down at the ramen bowl...but the glare was still as offending. Naruto seen it from the corner of his eye and a small grin popped onto his face. Anko scratched her head and when Naruto turned his head back, Anko shoved her finger into his cheek and he groaned a bit.
"Yeah, yeah...okay. Speaking of talking...tonight's confession fire- you going to confess something big?" Anko grinned at Naruto, who gazed at her with wide eyes. Sasuke too, tuned into the conversation.
"Confession?" Naruto asked curiously. Anko removed her finger and her grin died down to a mischevious smirk.
"Yeah, confession. You know...telling all your little secrets. Maybe you can confess that you're in love with your little girlfriend," She tapped her finger on her chin, "...oh, oh, what was her name...Camille?" She snickered to herself and Sasuke glanced up from his ramen bowl at Naruto. Did he even know she wasn't here?
"It's Kalei. And she's not my girlfriend. We're just friends." And the statement itself was harmless...but there was a little extra bite to it. "And I haven't even seen her all day." He finished.
Sasuke's eyes widened and he moved his head up and to the right, glancing down the street. He put his right elbow up on the table and rested his head in his hand...hand covering his mouth.
So Naruto doesn't even know?
"Yeah, yeah...whatever. Well, maybe you could confess to Sakura...you know...that little crush you have on her?" Anko chuckled out. Naruto groaned a bit and glanced at Sasuke, who's eye twitched ever so slightly. Anko exchanged glances between the two and sighed. "Oh that's right. I forgot about you." She took a deep breath and sighed, silence coming over the three of them. Naruto rubbed his stomach, clearly not satisfied and full. Sasuke ignored Anko's comment as he was lost in his own thoughts.
So she didn't tell Naruto, and she didn't tell Sakura? Kalei nor Tsunade told them...and neither did Shizune.
Sasuke's brown furrowed as he heard a rumble break through the silence. He moved his eyes to glance at Anko, not moving his face from his hand. Anko was slightly red...her stomach growling. Sasuke, obviously at a loss of appetite, looked off to the right again and with his hand poking at the ramen, dropped the chopsticks onto the side of the bowl and pushed it forward to Anko, who's mouth fell open...a cheesy grin plastered on her face.
"Aww, thanks!" She said excitedly, picking up the chopsticks and grabbing some noodles. Before they could reach her mouth, though, she heard somebody obnoxiously shout her name. She looked up to her right and seen some people waving her over. She let out a small whimper and sighed, putting the chopsticks down in the bowl.
"Damn. Well...duty calls. Catch you kiddies later!" She said, disappearing into thin air.
Wait for it...
Wait for it...
Naruto slid down to where Anko was sitting and picked up the chopsticks, shooting Sasuke a mischievous smirk. Sasuke noticed it from the corner of his eye and tried to ignore it as Naruto took in a mouthful of noodles.
"Soooo...it's perfect. This whole confession thing...you can confess to Sakura that you still-"
"I don't."
"But-"
"No."
Naruto just continued eating the ramen like Sasuke's stubborn attitude didn't bother him.
And as a moment of silence passed, another girl walked past them and blushed, winking at Sasuke. "Hello Sasuke Uchiha." Her tone was flirty, and Naruto looked behind him to see the girl walking past. He then turned back to his bowl and picked up more noodles, a now slightly distasteful look on his face.
"I have to wonder what Sakura would say if she heard all these girls." He mumbled with a full mouth.
Sasuke's eyes widened as through the crowd he spotted Sakura walking down the street a ways.
Perfect timing.
She won't do anything.
"Let's find out." Sasuke mumbled through his hand, causing Naruto to look up at him with curious eyes. He turned his back around and seen Sakura, instantly spotting her and giving her a cheerful smile. His flailing arm caught her attention, and she glanced over at them...at the same time as a group of giggling girls walked by staring at an uninterested Sasuke. She only watched and waved back at Naruto, continuing walking.
Sasuke let out a short 'I knew it' type of laugh as Naruto turned back around and sighed. Sasuke focused his eyes on the street as Sakura slowly slipped from his vision. Through all the hustle and bustle, Naruto's slurping took the top spot on the list of annoying sounds flying through the air. But the most annoying thing...was the unfortunate thought of the confession fire tonight. It kept slipping into his mind like a disease in contaminated air...inescapable.
He sighed into his hand and turned his face to the left as he rested his arms on the picnic table. It was as he was turning his head...he spotted Sakura talking to Taru just left of them a ways. They were too far away to hear anything...but Sasuke's eyes narrowed instantly as he seen Sakura beaming at Taru. Sasuke's stomach lurched as Sakura nodded her head a couple times and walked past him, while he turned and started walking slowly toward Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke stood up roughly, causing Naruto to slurp up the noodles dangling from his lips quickly and glance up at Sasuke.
"Where are-"
"Things to do."
And Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked down the street...opposite of the direction Taru was coming from.
I don't understand. Why does that guy bother me so much?
Sasuke wrinkled his brow as he slowly made his way over to the grounds where the fire was going to be held.
-
Naruto watched as Sasuke rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. He then shrugged and went back to his noodles.
"Yo, Naruto!"
Randomly, Taru sat himself down beside Naruto, who shoved more noodles into his mouth and choked out a hello. Taru flashed him a bright smile.
"This festivals pretty crazy. I think tonight should interesting, don't you?"
Naruto's thoughts drifted to Sasuke and Sakura for a moment, and a small sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. "Oh yeah, definitely." He replied, picking up the bowl and preparing to slurp down the broth.
Taru's smiled vanished and he scratched his head, looking off into the distance. "Yeah...so you have anything to confess tonight?"
Naruto's lips curved around the bowl and he tilted it up, slowing slurping the warm liquid. He let out a quiet 'nu huh' from deep in his throat. Taru sighed quietly and a small tint of red focused on his cheeks.
"Yeah? Well...can I get some insight from you?"
"Uh huh."
His slurping grew louder as he gathered the last of the fluid into his mouth. He held it in there, savoring the flavor as he set the bowl down, feeling satisfied.
"I think I'm going to confess to Sakura tonight."
And instantly, the broth flew from Naruto's mouth across the picnic table and over into the street.
What?! What, what, what?! Naruto's eyes shot open, stomach twisting into knots. He turned to face Taru, who was staring at Naruto as if he was some hideous creature.
"C-Confess? What exactly are you confessing!? Confess what?!" Naruto's voice cracked. He was overwhelmed with shock. Just moments ago, he was telling Sasuke to admit to Sakura how he felt about her...and now, here's Taru...telling him he's going to do the exact same thing?
Not good. Soooo not good.He blinked a couple of times as Taru gave him a 'well obviously' type of look.
"I'm going to tell her that I like her." His voice sounded confident and a sincere smile popped up onto his face.
Naruto just stared at him blankly for a moment, then ever so slowly started to turn his head to face in front of him. He remembered very vividly a time when Kalei had told Naruto she liked Sasuke...and like a total moron, he told her she should tell him. And look how things ended up...Sakura and Kalei hate each other...Kalei can't forget about Sasuke...and Sasuke's...well, just whatever.
"And that's true no matter what? Do you think everybody deserves to put up a fight?" Kalei asked quietly.
Naruto nodded slowly.
She sighed. "Naruto, I'm talking about Sasuke."
"You...you like Sasuke?" He spat out.
"Yes." She said quietly, "But I know there's something between him and Sakura. I've never been one to try and meddle in things that aren't my business...so I'm-"
"He talks about you." Naruto cut her off.
God, he remembered that so clearly.
Taru chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head once more. "I just think it's the perfect time. You know, I never knew that I actually cared about her in that way until just the other night when I ran into Sasuke. He made me realize just how much I actually wanted to see her happy."
"Kalei...I shouldn't say this but...Old Lady Tsunade...told me Sakura was leaving on a mission tomorrow and would be gone for three days. I meant what I said. Nobody can change things for you but yourself. You have to believe."
And with Taru's words...Naruto's resolve cracked.
Taru has every right to tell Sakura his true feelings. I mean...why shouldn't he? Things will end up how they are meant to end up. I can't control it...and just because I told Sasuke to tell Sakura...doesn't mean he will. And it doesn't mean Taru can't! Right...?!
Naruto sighed and rubbed his face with both hands, feeling slightly stressed. "What exactly do you like about Sakura, Taru?"
Taru glanced at Naruto and then up at the clear blue sky. "Well, she's smart. She's strong. She's independent and a great shinobi. Along with that she's beautiful and kind hearted. What, exactly, is not to like?"
"Her temper-" Naruto muttered under his breath.
"-Huh?"
"Nothing!" Naruto shot Taru a cheery smile...all the while, strangely, he felt a pang of jealous. Why? Something about Taru liking Sakura...and even Sasuke liking Sakura...made him uncomfortable. He didn't like it all too much...but he couldn't tell why. And he didn't want to think on it any further.
He let out a deep, agitated sigh and faced Taru. His lips were drawn into a tight line, making Taru give him a strange look...one of the many he had given Naruto all throughout the conversation.
I may regret this later but...for now...I choose to...
"Okay, Taru, look..." Naruto voice cracked once more as he felt unsure of what exactly he wanted to say. "Sasuke's my best friend...and he'll be my best friend no matter what he does or what happens. I'd do anything for the guy. But..."
Taru's eyes focused on Naruto's.
Well, I guess looking on the bright side...Taru's nothing like Kalei...he's not willing to do anything too drastic to get to Sakura...like, ruin friendships or something, right? I mean...he's not even friends with Kalei. So he's nothing like her.
A small wave of reassurance floated over Naruto...and the words flowed a little more quickly. He cared about Kalei...but...he knew her ways.
"I'm in no position to tell you this, so never tell a soul I did...but I think...you should confess to Sakura!"
Taru nodded, one corner of his lips raising just slightly.
"Just...know that Sakura's a complicated person and you need to be careful! Never hurt her...and...and if Sasuke-"
"Naruto-" Taru cut him off, a wide, toothy grin plastered on his features. Naruto felt a bit satisfied seeing Taru pleased. Did Taru really want Naruto's approval? Something inside Naruto made him really like this guy. "I got it." Taru finished, standing up and walking away. Naruto just sat there, staring into space and thinking to himself.
And really...he was just hoping things turned out right.
"Alright. This looks pretty good."
Sasuke was sitting high up on a branch in a tall tree while Kakashi tied a light on a branch opposite Sasuke's side of the trunk. His feet were dangling as the breeze ruffled his hair and shirt. His eye lids were half open and he was staring as if he were in a trance. But he wasn't. He was just caught up in thought.
He even hated to admit it to himself...but he was watching Sakura...who was just a little ways off playing with some children in a field. Her hair was tied up in a pony and her cheeks were red from running around with the three young kids. Her eyes were bright. She looked like she was enjoying herself.
And Sasuke wasn't quite sure what he was feeling. Was it jealousy...that she was so happy and he wasn't the one making her that way? Or was it his own happiness that Sakura was looking so happy and alive? Or maybe resentment...because in the past year, he hadn't been able to look even close to how she looked right now?
"How does it look?"
Kakashi's voice broke into Sasuke's thoughts, causing his head to snap to his right to glance up at the light tied neatly up in the branch. The idea was to tie very bright lights up high in the trees to create a somewhat mysterious and romantic effect for the fire. And it was a pretty well thought out idea.
"Fine."
Kakashi sighed, adjusting himself to sit down next to Sasuke. "You know, you should have done that yourself instead of sitting here doing nothing."
Sasuke turned to look back at Sakura again, who was laughing with one of the small children. "I told you that was the perfect spot to tie it. I helped."
Kakashi pulled out his book and nodded. "I suppose. So we did good."
"We did."
"We have great minds."
A small smile rose to Sasuke's face at that comment, but faded just as quick. He wasn't too interested in anything else, except praying that Sakura didn't see him sitting up in a tree staring at her.
It was staring, right? Or stalking...?
"Take a picture. It will last longer."
Sasuke snapped from his trance once again and in an attempt to give Kakashi a witty retort, he bit his tongue and looked off to his left to avoid seeing his ex sensei's amused face.
But Kakashi found it somewhat entertaining and decided to keep plucking at his nerves. "She's beautiful, isn't she?"
Sasuke's face grew slightly hot. "Who?"
"Sakura, of course. She matured into quite the solid shinobi. Stubborn and ill-tempered...but dependable none-the-less." Kakashi's tone was cool and unwavering, making Sasuke feel comfortable enough to glance at him...yet, only to give him a nasty glare.
"And just where are you going with this?" He snarled sorely, making Kakashi raise a hand up to him.
"Settle. I'm only stating-"
"No, you're not." Sasuke hissed mockingly, eye brows raised.
Enough bullshit, Kakashi.
Kakashi's eye crinkled and he looked back at Sakura, who was now slowing walking away with the children dancing around her. Sasuke watched too, trying his hardest to look unamused. And for the most part, it worked.
"I guess I'm just stating my opinion. I'm really fond of who Sakura is...don't take that the wrong way." Kakashi chuckled out once more, earning another distasteful look from the young Uchiha. Kakashi jumped down from the branch and Sasuke's eyes trailed, watching his ex sensei turn around and look back up at him.
"I think Sakura's beautiful." Kakashi winked.
Of course, you old pervert.Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed questioningly.
Kakashi waved up at Sasuke.
"And you know what they say...great minds think alike."
Instantly, Sasuke's face turned a faded shade of red and he turned his head to the left, scoffing loudly at that remark.
Damn you, Kakashi. And as he was ready to jump down and start swearing at him for the completely uncalled for remark, he noticed Kakashi was gone, and he was sitting alone in the tree. He looked around him to see if Kakashi was hiding anywhere, and when he was sure he wasn't, he silently started cursing him.
Who was he to assume Sasuke thought that about Sakura? He didn't know what he was thinking?! So why did everybody else think they knew?!
Sasuke jumped down from the branch and stretched out his arms, noticing the sun starting to set. In a little bit everybody would be making their way to the fire grounds to throw their old possessions into the big wooden box and watch them burn away into the night. Then the confession time would begin and people would start pouring out their secrets as if they actually had to.
He ran his hand through his hair a couple times, feeling a bit tense.
I don't exactly know what I want to do at this point...because I'm not sure what's right and what's wrong. But I do know...that I don't know...
And that didn't make any sense.
And because that didn't make any sense, he was only beginning to be more frustrated with himself.
"Alright, everything is in place. The entertainment is set up...the lights are all up and ready. Umm...I talked to Iruka and he'll light the box on fire about a half hour after everybody has started to put their crap into the box-"
"-Crap?"
"Just...whatever." Sakura shook her head, handing Shizune a couple pieces of paper. At this point, it was dark out, and she was wearing a baggy white shirt with the Konoha symbol enlarged on the back. All the shinobi being honored in the festival were to wear this, as to stick out to those at the confession ceremony. The shirt was open in the front and underneath she was wearing a tight pink T-shirt and baggy dark blue pants. Her hair was now tied into a messy bun with a long pink ribbon, with strands of her hair flying around her face in every direction. Honestly, the slightly unkempt style made her look beautiful in a more relaxed way.
"Thank you, Sakura. You're incredibly helpful. And that's why Lady Tsunade and I can rely on you with no doubts." Shizune giggled, noticing Sakura's relief at having everything accomplished. Sakura just nodded, a slight smirk on her face.
"Yeah, well, you can have people start putting their possessions into the box now...oh, and remember that the raft is down by the river aways. Have Kakashi and Gai or somebody bring it down the river here and ready it." Sakura muttered, now turning to walk away. Shizune nodded and turned her attention to the papers in her hands.
-
Sakura was now walking among the people, eyes straight to the ground. She felt nervous...anxious...she wasn't sure.
I can do this. I can do this. I can seriously...do this.
"Well, hey there, forehead!"
"Pig." Sakura replied boredly without looking up right away. When she did, she seen Ino and Hinata standing in front of her in yukata's, all prettied up.
"Look at all these people. Today was totally fun! I can't wait until I get to be one of the shinobi honored at this festival! Well...if that day comes." Ino tapped her finger on her chin causing Sakura to snicker quietly. She turned her attention to Hinata, who was completely red in the face, with almost unnoticeable trembling.
"And Hinata? You alright?" Sakura asked softly. Hinata glanced up at her and then looked away, nodding roughly. Ino placed her hand on Hinata's shoulder and pushed her a bit to the left.
"We're gonna go throw our stuff in the box now. Catch you later?" Flashing her a childish grin, Ino continued to push Hinata down the hill to the box.
"Definately." Sakura replied, walking away.
Naruto marched through the people up to Sasuke, who was standing in front of the box...staring at it with ominous eyes.
"You have to drop something in." Naruto commented jokingly, earning a glare from Sasuke out of the corner of his eye.
They were standing right next to the box and people were slowly swarming around them, dropping anything from old torn stuffed toys to new fancy jewelery into the box...or more so, the very long rectangular shaped crate. It was actually getting filled with lots of items. And to think...each one of those had a story behind them somebody wanted to leave behind. The thought slightly amused Sasuke.
Naruto glanced beyond the crate down the hill that lead to the river. The raft that would carry the burning crate down the waters was readied for when they'd ship off everybody's old unwanted memories. The sun was set, but a dark tint of purple kissed the horizon, and with a small overcast of light from the tree's showering down, the atmosphere was set. It was peaceful.
Naruto started humming softly to himself as he pulled out a piece of folded paper from his pocket. He and Sasuke were now in the same white shirts as Sakura, and in the same dark baggy pants. Neither had their headbands on their heads, allowing their hair to flow freely by the barely noticeable breeze.
Sasuke glanced at the paper Naruto was unfolding.
"I thought it was perfect." Naruto mumbled in a gentle monotone. Sasuke's eyes widened as when the paper was unfolded, he seen an identification slip. It was the first one Naruto had taken back when he was a genin...the picture with the white face paint and the moronic pose. Yep, very nostalgic.
"I guess it's time to grow up a bit. I need to start taking responsibility for the people in the village if I'm going to become Hokage one day." Naruto's lips carved into a giant grin, earning a snort from Sasuke. Naruto then gave him a slightly pained look, all the while keeping his grin. "What? Nobody said I had to lose all my wonderful immaturity? I'm just saying!" Naruto laughed as he dropped the paper into the crate. Sasuke watched it hit the other items, and then he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out something that caught Naruto's attention immediately.
It was the headband. The one with the scratch right through the Konoha emblem. Without hesitation, Sasuke held it over the edge of the box and released it, not bothering to watch where it landed. Now his eyes drifted up to the night sky and he let out a very heavy sigh.
"I guess we're all taking a bit of responsibility now." Naruto added thoughtfully after a moment, causing Sasuke to glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
And a small smirk quickly made it's way onto his face, vanishing just as fast...
The two slowly made their way back through the children and elders making their own way toward the box. Naruto was a step ahead of Sasuke, who was deep in thought as his head was tilted up watching the night sky.
It was so clear. You could see every cabalistic illumination being let off from the endless amount of stars. Somewhere in the comely night sky, he could feel it. It was a strange feeling that beyond the dusky black color that coated the sky, there were wishes...wishes cast into the infinity made by people from all around the world. Maybe that was what fueled the stars?
Even Sasuke had to admit...out of the trillion wishes made on every shooting star...he, too, had some up in the infinity. Most were made in his childhood, and he couldn't even remember if they had come true. But as his mind raced with uncertainty, he found one thing he was curious about as he glanced up into the heavens.
Eternity.
A place where it all came together...and it never fell apart...
He closed his eyes and scoffed to himself at such a stupid idea.
That doesn't exist. Not even in dreams.
And as he peeled his eyes open slowly, he seen a brilliant streak cross the pale black sky. A shooting star. For some reason, at that moment, his heart jumped.
What the hell? Why not make a wish?
Sakura...
Sasuke bent his head down and raised his eyebrows, feeling a sense of stupidity for actually thinking about that at a time like this.
Sakura, Sakura, Sakura. How do I feel about Sakura?
"Heh...I wish I had an answer to that...because I'm tired of answering that question." He muttered sarcastically under his breath.
"Huh?" Naruto asked obnoxiously, making Sasuke jump. He hadn't actually realized he had said that out loud, until Naruto's voice jolted him from his confusing contemplations.
"N-Nothing." Sasuke replied quickly.
Naruto shrugged. "Well alri-"
"Naruto."
Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks, instantaneously causing Naruto to stop just a foot ahead of him and look back at him with a puzzled look.
"You were right."
Naruto raised his eyebrows at Sasuke's words. "I was right?"
"Hn."
"But I'm never right."
Sasuke shot him a glare, clearly showing him he was serious. Naruto's mouth popped into an evil smile at this and he stepped closer to Sasuke, making him feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Wait, wait, wait. Let's get this in writing...Sasuke, did you just say I'm-"
"I'm going to tell her."
And suddenly, Naruto's words cut off...his eyes opened wide. And he just stared at Sasuke...who had a completely serious expression on his face. Naturally, after this, Naruto wasn't sure how he felt about 'being right'.
Silence.
Silence.
Taru!!Naruto's heart dropped into his stomach and he felt a bit nautious. "S-so...you're going to tell her...that you love her?" His voice wavered.
"No."
Now a loud 'huh' bellowed from Naruto's mouth. The nervousness was leaving. "What do you mean, 'no'?"
Sasuke sighed. "I'm telling her how I feel, you idiot."
Naruto groaned. "And, how exactly do you feel?!" His voice was slightly agitated. Damn you, Sasuke! You're too confusing!
"Dunno."
Now Naruto just didn't care. He shook his head, muttering 'okay, I don't care' ever so softly just to ease his nerves, while Sasuke thought about that himself. What was he actually planning on telling her?
As Taru drifted back into Naruto's thoughts, he slowly tried to reassure himself that everything was okay. What's two guys confessing to the same girl in one night?? Sakura could handle it. Right?
Yeah! Yeah! Besides...Taru won't take advantage of Sakura's vulnerabilities toward Sasuke like Kalei did with Sasuke...right? He's nothing like her.
But as if God was trying to frazzle Naruto to no end, when he turned his head to the left, down through the people a ways...he seen Taru talking to a young child. A familiar young child. Naruto's breathe hitched in his throat as he seen Kiako giggling and handing some things to Taru. They were talking like they were close...too close...
If he knows Kiako...he'd have...to...know Kalei...considering Kalei's crazy protective of Kiako...so then that means...Taru knows Kalei.
And by the looks of it...really well.
Now...maybe it was just the fact that Naruto was panicking already about how both Sasuke and Taru were going to confess to Sakura tonight...but just knowing Taru and Kalei were friends made him worried...uncomfortable...pissed? Whatever.
"Not good." He mumbled aloud. He quickly turned to Sasuke, who glanced at him questioningly. "I"m sorry." Naruto blurted quickly with wide eyes. Sasuke raised his eyebrows, giving Naruto a look that said he was a complete moron...and that he had no idea what he was talking about what-so-ever.
"I kkkiiinnndddaaa-"
"N-Naruto."
Interrupted by a soft stuttering voice, Naruto turned round and seen Hinata, face beat red...and at the same time, Shizune's voice bellowed through the air that it was now the beginning of the confession ceremony. Naruto blinked a couple of times, confused as why Hinata was acting so strange. It had been a while since he had seen her like this. Sasuke just stared at Hinata with a bored expression. He had never really talked to her much so he was curious as to what kinda of relationship she and Naruto had.
"Yo, Hinata. What's up?" Naruto asked as cheerfully as possible. Hinata twirled her fingers down by her lap and looked up at Naruto. She took one deep breath and prepared her words.
Silence.
"I love you, N-Naruto!"
Silence...
More silence...
More silence...
Sasuke's eyes widened, and now that bored look...was completely amused. He noticed from his peripheral vision that Naruto's eyes were wide, lips were slightly parted, and cheeks were flaming red. He couldn't help but find that slightly funny. He shook his head softly and turned to walk away before he let out an interested snort.
Naruto, on the other hand, just blinked. Over and over again. Hinata's lips were trembling and as if it were possible, it looked like the dark shade of red already present on her cheeks was getting even darker.
Huh.
Naruto cleared his throat and looked around. He wasn't trying to be hurtful or anything...but...he had something he needed to take care of. Sasuke was his best friend...and if Sasuke ever found out that Naruto had told Taru to confess to Sakura...well, he'd kill him. So he needed to take care of that...and fast.
"H-Hinata..." Naruto's voice cracked and he looked behind him to make sure Sasuke was gone.
Shit! That means he's going to find Sakura!
It was then when he looked back at Hinata, he seen tears forming in her eyes. She was so nervous.
Get it together, Naruto!
He forced a sincere smile onto his face and held his finger up to Hinata.
"Hold that thought." He sang out. He turned around, and as he did, he noticed faintly a small tear had escaped her eye and started to slowly flow down her cheek. When he was turned completely around he stopped, turned back to Hinata quickly, stepping close to her, and wiped away the tear on her cheek. The feeling of his finger against her face made her flush. Automatically after that, he turned around and took off to take care of the problem he had created.
Hinata just stood there, eyes wide.
What did 'hold that thought' mean exactly?
He felt himself hit the floor roughly on his butt...with tight ropes tied around his wrists and feet. Oh, did I mention he couldn't see a thing?
Naruto ripped off the blindfold quickly, allowing Taru to slowly peel his eyes open and notice that he actually still couldn't see anything. It was completely dark all around them.
"Naruto?!" He asked, dumbfounded.
"Ya."
"Where are we?" Taru chimed in a surprisingly calm tone.
"An old warehouse that stored some of the tools and decorations for this whole festival and stuff. It's just a little ways from where the fire's being held." Naruto answered, lighting a small candle in front of him. It was barely enough to illuminate the small space between him and his captive friend.
Taru's eyes started to focus in on Naruto. "So uh, Naruto...what the hell are you doing?" His voice was sarcastic and light, almost like he was speaking to a slow child.
Naruto scratched the back of his head and let out a sarcastic laugh.
Yeah, right...what AM I doing?
"Oh..and why the hell am I tied up in a dark warehouse?" Taru added once more...his tone now becoming lower and firmer.
"See...look, Taru-"
"I don't have time for this, Naruto! Untie me!"
"I can't!" Naruto shouted back, causing Taru to shake his head and look at him like an idiot.
"What does that mean!?"
Just moments earlier...Naruto had so stealthily ambushed Taru, tied him up, brought him to this abandoned building...and did it all under the influence of Sasuke.
Naruto sighed heavily. "Well, remember earlier today when I said Sasuke was my best friend...and I'd do anything for him? We'll you and I are friends but..."
Taru let out a small 'che' and halted Naruto's words. "What are you saying? What's going on?"
Naruto cleared his throat and took a step back. "I can't let you confess to Sakura."
Taru's eyes widened curiously. He wanted so much to punch Naruto right in the jaw right now. He didn't have time for this!
And before Taru could ask why, he slowly seen the door open on the other side of the warehouse, allowing in a very dim light that barely reached him...but much to his dismay, it illuminated somebody standing right next to the door inside the building...the one who opened it...the one who in the shadows, looked nothing but dangerous.
Sasuke.
And there he stood, his face serious, cold red eyes piercing his own...and even Taru had to admit...it was a bit frightening.
Naruto groaned a bit, feeling uneasy about what he was doing. "I can't let you because if you confess to Sakura...thing is..." A small awkward pause followed that.
"The thing is...she might actually fall for it." Sasuke finished coldly, causing Taru to narrow his eyes at him. "Sorry Shoukei, she'll always be just a little too good for you." Sasuke finished.
Naruto spun around, feeling irritated with Sasuke for making him do this. "You don't have much time. Get going already!" He shouted irritably at Sasuke, who nodded and proceeded to walk out the door. Naruto just stood for a moment until Sasuke was out of sight, and then he turned around and seen Taru with his head bent down. Suddenly, an uneasiness grew between them.
"I'm sorry. Look, don't give it much thought. I wouldn't worry about Sasuke saying anything to her." Naruto muttered quietly, bending down onto his knee's and placing the candle beside him. He reached around Taru and started to untie the rope binding his wrists together.
"Oh yeah...he'll only tell her he loves her." Taru grumbled solemnly, and very sarcastically.
"He won't. He told me he isn't going to say anything like that because he isn't sure exactly what he's feeling himself." Naruto explained calmly. With those words, Taru glanced up at him curiously.
"So...why shouldn't I worry then?"
"Because...Sakura isn't going to forgive him so easily. Actually..." Naruto paused and a grin overcame him serious expression. He managed to undo the ropes as they fell to the floor behind Taru, and Taru instantly starting tending to the ropes around his ankles. "I have a strong feeling Sakura will send him packing. You know what she's like."
"Oh yeah." Taru chuckled out, undoing the ropes on his ankle. He rubbed his wrists and sighed, leaning back on the wall behind him. "Maybe it was a good idea you stopped me. I don't want to look stupid in front of her. Besides...I don't know if I was ready to say 'I like you' or anything." He said thoughtfully, his hazel eyes glistening from the dim light entering the room.
Naruto stood up and suddenly Hinata came rushing into his mind.
"I love you, N-Naruto!"
His head started spinning.
What to do, what to do...
She slowly walked along the gravel road leading to the gates of the open area the fire was being held in. Konoha had open land around the outskirts of it, and so on one of those patches they had decided to hold the fire. She was quite a ways from everybody now and could only hear the faint melodies of the music playing. She could hear an occasional child scream happily at the top his or her lungs and the hustle and bustle of people getting ready to set the burning box down the river. For some reason, her heart felt heavy...a feeling of self-disappointment overcoming her.
In the end she just couldn't do it.
Sakura had made her way up to the crate just a half hour or so earlier, taking deep breathes with every movement, telling herself 'I can do this...I can do this!'...but in the end...she just couldn't. She had his necklace in hand and was right next to the box...only to stand there numb for a few minutes. It was then when she spotted Naruto and Sasuke on the opposite side of the box that she chickened out last minute. She had quickly turned around before they had seen her and made her way through the people to watch as everybody exercised their own will power by throwing away unnecessary memories. But she just couldn't do it. And that made her feel so pitifully weak.
She had told herself that throwing away his necklace was a symbol of her own strength...and besides, she didn't need it. Repeatedly, she said to herself that the necklace was simply a leash he could keep her on...reminding her of her weak heart and foolish motives. No, she did not need that necklace. She didn't even want it.
Or at least that's what she kept telling herself.
But that little voice inside her head kept doubting. She was making her feelings out to be more mind over what matters...and that just didn't feel right to her. If she had to keep telling herself she didn't need it...then obviously her heart was telling her she should keep it. Then...didn't that mean something? Something at all?
She sighed heavily, reaching into her pocket to feel the necklace. She ran her fingers over it gently and then pulled her hand out. Her eyes were glued to the road ahead of her, tracing patterns in the small pebbles that made up the street. Her mind was just blank...her eyes weary. She was tired, confused, upset, disappointed...it just all made her feel like sleeping in a warm bed and dreaming away her problems. All she needed now was to walk through those gates...they so much felt like an escape for her now...
Arrr, what am I doing?!
She stopped and sighed even heavier.
I can't be like this. It's no time to get all lazy and down on myself. Get a grip, Sakura!
Yeah, but even words didn't cure everything.
She slowly brought her head up to look in front of her because she knew she was close to the gates, when much to her...shock? Dismay?...Whatever...she seen him.
Sasuke.
He was just standing there, hands in his pockets, slouching only a little to his right side...calm and ominous eyes gazing right up to her...a serious look engraved on his handsome face. Her face only stayed passive as she let her eyes melt into his.
What did he want?
It felt like an eternity of silence had passed...when it had only been around maybe a minute. All of a sudden, Sakura felt bitterness. What was he doing? What did Sasuke freaking want?!
"You feel like you're alone in this fight with yourself."
His low, suave voice reached her, making her listen intently to his words ringing through the tree's. Her eyes widened intently.
He paused for a moment.
"You don't know why but you know that when you're all alone...it feels like it's all crashing down."
Chills swept over her arms and she found herself growing angry and impatient. But yet...she listened closly to his every word.
He took a step toward her.
She picked up her foot and took a step back, her body still facing him. But even though she had moved one foot, the other wouldn't...it was like she was glued there.
"You hate looking back, so you won't turn around."
And she slowly brought her foot back up where it was, next to the other one. It was almost as if he was reading her like an open book. But she knew that wasn't possible.
Her pages were all torn and frayed.
"You fear if you cry that first tear, the tears won't stop falling down."
He took another step.
And she snapped.
"You wonder if you're where you're suppose to be!" She shouted back. He stopped for a moment, and she spotted a tiny smirk on his face.
He took another step.
Her heart started pounding.
"You're scared of what you might lose if you move away from who you were." She said again, her voice more controlled.
His smirk grew.
He took another step.
She felt a sting in her eyes.
"And you're afraid of who you'll be."
He stopped as her voice was now fragile...the same as her composure.
He was now only about three steps away from her...and their gaze never broke.
And he spoke.
"You're treading water just to keep from slipping under."
Her eyes narrowed.
He took another step.
She felt nervous.
So she spoke.
"You're wrong."
He took another step.
And the space in between them was basically closed...he could reach out and touch her so easily.
"I'm confessing for you, Sakura. I can see it."
She shook her head softly...but was he right?
He nodded his head behind him, making reference to the gates. Then...he smirked.
"The only way out is through everything you're running from."
She gasped softly.
He was talking about himself, wasn't he?
And he was completely right, wasn't he?
She was trying to run away from him. Run away from his memories. Her memories. Their memories.
She stared at him. He stared at her.
Time could have only slowed down at that moment, and all the noise in the world vanished. Under the starlit sky, he didn't seem so scary. And things didn't feel so wrong.
It felt like it lasted forever...and ended just as quick.
"So, I guess that means we'll be staying here a while?" A male voice rang out.
Sasuke looked up to his left to see Suigetsu, Karin and Juugo standing up in a tree...well hidden, with their chalkra just the same. Sakura, on the other hand turned to her left, leaving her back to the tree. She looked up into the sky, feeling the color rise to her cheeks. She didn't want them to see her blushing.
"I guess so." She heard Sasuke say after a brief pause.
So that's it. He confessed her weaknesses for her...like she did for him. So that's how it went.
She wanted to smile. She wanted to cry. She wanted to go back to that day. The day when he walked through those gates and left with nothing but promises to return.
Those couple of months back then...when they were so close...when she was so in love...they were okay, weren't they? It was all right, wasn't it?
Her eyes roamed through the sky...her mind roamed through memories...and her heart roamed through emotions.
"Back then, we gave it our all. We neither lied, nor made mistakes. We didn't fail and didn't do anything wrong. And although at that time we did our best...the memories, the thoughts...time has passed and changed it all. Promises to tears. Vows to wounds. A dear person...into a wonderful memory. Inside the eternity."
A shooting star passed through the sky...and without noticing it...she was crying. Crying...and smiling at the same time...and she stared into the stars...
"If only there was such a thing as eternity."
Next Chapter
Desires Of A Childish Heart