Chapter 7: Heaven descent on Earth
A.N: This is the one of the two chapters I suppose most of the reader of this fic has been waiting for. This is my take on how Naruto and Sakura finally realize that they love each other. This chapter will have most of the NS moments between them during the 698 chapters. It will be base on both Naruto and Sakura POV, as both we'll be interacting in their mind. Naruto with Kurama, Sakura with her inner. This one is about Sakura's reliving the event of the story.
Note that when a character go in his mind, I'll consider that time will either slowdown or completely stop. That is the way I find to put everything in the story and in the end, why I expected NS as the endgame of the story. Something outside happen if you ask me. Anyway onto the story. (character thinking) Kurama, Inner.
Naruto's mind
"She's kissed Sasuke, I always knew that's gonna happen. She finally get her true love kiss. I hope she's gonna be happy now. She's gonna become Sasuke's wife. I hope we still gonna be friend."
"You definitely retarded kid."
"NO I'M NOT"
"I mean do you really believe she gave Sasuke a kiss full of love and that now, their gonna get married while you watch on the sideline? Even so you doubt that you still be her friend, like she'll completely forget that your exist, if she's go out with Sasuke."
"No, well, a little... maybe"
"Geez, think a little kid. If she was so in love with Sasuke, why isn't she part of his trip?"
"Maybe because who knows what Sasuke going to do in his redemption trip?"
"No one really, but wouldn't she be giving Sasuke a good-bye kiss then? Instead of reminding him about every bone in his body. You know what kid, I think I know what's your problem."
"I don't have any problem."
"Oh yes you do. But I kind of understand you. Remember that I share you body. What you see and feel, I saw and felt it through you. I've seen you entire life. I felt your pain. And would you like to know 1 of the greatest pain you put yourself through. It's the one when you make that promise of a life time to her. Because at that moment, you make the most noble sacrifice of them all. You decide to just enjoy her smile, even if you're not the man that put it on her face. However what you can bring yourself to see is that she might have been able to move on from her Sasuke's crush. You conquer my hatred and even his, but you give up on winning her heart."(Especially when you're so close, that will be SO dumb).
"Wait I do want her heart, but I don't want to force myself to her. Sasuke was always her dream guy."
"Who tried to kill her at least 3 times. Kakashi make a save her once so let's make this 4."
"You really think she moves on from Sasuke?"
"Only way to know is to ask her. Don't go too directly though, she got an explanation about how come she kissed both of you.
"Both of us?"
"See my point, you failed to hear the most important detail, Kakashi said that she kiss all member of the old team seven except him, meaning that leaves you and Sasuke."
"Sakura-Chan... kiss ….. me? How come I have no memory of it."
"I don't have either, meaning I was out of your system. But I remember something before you exit the Hokage building at the summit, what the Kazekage told you."
Flashback
Naruto and Sakura were to exit the Hokage's building when he hear someone called his name, he answer that person:
"Gaara. What's up"
"Nothing really, I'd like to ask you a question, rather personal."
"No problem, I'll wait for Naruto at the entrance, take care Lord Kazekage"
"You can call me Gaara, Sakura."
"Thanks Gaara, well see you in a minute Naruto."
"I'll be with yo before you know it, dattebayo."
"Sakura take her leave leaving the 2 friends alone."
"Well when I said personal, it's more about you, I saw you too coming here together and all, I was wondering if she's your girlfriend."
"WHAAAAAAAAAT? Why everyone ask this question?I mean no she's not. Though I wish she will be one day."
"You love her?"
"Yeah but she love Sasuke"
"I see... may I give you some advice, as a friend."
"Sure"
"When we fight back then, you show me that love is a powerful thing. You and Sasuke were almost dead during the war. Sakura goes through extraordinary length to keep you alive, when she could have gone tried saving Sasuke instead. I don't think she's in love with him anymore. (You precious to her, she just need to realize how much). In other word, don't think all is lost."
"I just want her to be happy"
"Don't worry, she is now. Anyway I must go. If you need to talk about it, I'm here."
"Thanks Gaara, who thought you could be this perceptive."
"You never know what's people are capable of until they show you."
With that Gaara leave Naruto while he joined up with Sakura.
End of flashback.
"You were dying, while I was out of you. Meaning something happen at that moment. But you never know unless you ask her."
"Maybe you right. I think I have to talk to her."
(end of the Naruto mind part)
Both him and Sakura were near the gate of the village. Naruto comeback from his shocked expression and then said:
"Sakura-Chan... is it true?"
Sakura snap out of her own mind, where she was thinking how she's gonna make Sasuke pay.
"Huh."
"Sakura-Chan, what Kakashi-sensei said before he left us, is it true?"
"Yes, I guess I own you an explanation. Why won't we sit down and talk about it?"
"Ok."
"Here we should sit on this bench."
Naruto seeing bench tense a little, due to a certain memory he had from the place. This it wasn't too much noticeable, but Sakura knew Naruto enough to know that he did tense. Once they both sit, Sakura said
"Well I owe you an explanation, I will give it to you, but after, would you mind answering a question for me."
"Sure, anything for yo Sakura-Chan." Naruto said smiling.
"Thank you Naruto. Well, 1st Sasuke's kiss was just before the leaf Kage summit, I had a discussion with him when he apologies for trying to kill me."
"I thought he already did."
"Baka, don't cut me when I explaining you, It's rude Naruto. Where was I? Oh yeah. No he didn't apologize for that, only for his bad attitude during the war. I had him answer some question honestly and I kissed him by surprise, a quick peck while his eyes were closed."
"Why is that?"
"I guess there's no point, you always cut me with those question, but at least that mean you listen to me." she said while smiling.
"To answer your question, I just want to see if I've still got feeling for him and to be quite honest, to satisfy my 12 years old self. I mean he's an attractive man but I don't love him anymore. Not like that. I felt his lips but nothing more. Though a part of me still like him because it did said once the sweetest word to me."
(WHEN WAS THAT? Naruto thought) "I see, but how come you kiss me. I mean I don't remember that"
"Well it's because you, you were dead."
"I was?"
"Well clinically yeah, I use CPR and pump your heart with my hand since I was almost out of chakra. I couldn't let you die. Gaara fly you as fast as he can to your dad location while I was trying to maintain you alive. I had too. I swear on that cloud that I will protect you and your dreams no matter what."
"You're amazing." the blonde let out.
"Sound like a certain vow to me that last thing she said. "
(Not now Kurama)
"Thank you." she answer while blushing.
"Sakura-Chan are you sick?"
"No idiot, I'm fine"
"He made you blush, you must be as red as a tomato"
(Shut up)
"Now my turn. You tense when you saw this bench. Did you spy on me when we were young, Naruto Uzumaki?"
"No that's not it."
"Then how come before you pass out from blood lost after you fight with Sasuke, you use the exact same word that I was told once before here by Sasuke or whoever look like him. Though I learn from him that you beat him and tied him up somewhere."
"Good time." said Naruto thinking of his victory back then
"Don't tried to change subject. I'd like answer" said an irate Sakura.
"More like a confirmation if you ask me." said Inner
(What confirmation)
"One that somehow you knew, like Sasuke wouldn't tell you that. That someone else did. You wish to know that person,. That you can love. Just that kind of confirmation to know that someone."
(Stop being so cryptic)
"Sakura-chan"
"What?" She said while snapping out of her thoughts.
"Promise to not hit me if I told you the truth"
"I promise"
"Well after I've beat Sasuke, I did want to know what you think about me, but back then, I couldn't ask you as myself, so I did transform myself as Sasuke. I understand that you were after Sasuke acknowledgment, just like I was after yours, which makes me understand why I like you. I would have stay if I didn't have drunk outdated milk."
"You transform as Sasuke, it's hard imagining you talked with his voice" said Sakura as she begin to feel little goosebumps.
"I guess I'll have to prove it."
With that Naruto make the hand sign and after the smoke clear, he was transform in a 12 years old Sasuke.
He said to you this Naruto said before taking Sasuke voice : « You have such a nice forehead. Makes me want to kiss it. »
(Sakura's mind)
When Sakura heard those words, something snap in her mind. All this time, she thought that Sasuke said those exact words, the one she hope her dream guy will be telling her. Those words that made her feel special. Before that, she just had a crush over Sasuke because he was a good looking guy and that it seems that all the girls who were popular did as well. She didn't want to get bully. When he said those words, she thought that he was indeed more than a crush and he was her fate guy. After all, what are the chance of thinking of a dream situation and 5 minutes later, he was really happening.
"All this time, he was him, I always thought it was Sasuke."
"We both know it wasn't, you did have doubt."
"What?"
"After all, he did insult us right after this event when he comeback."
"Does that mean all this time, Naruto was my dream guy. I mean it was just a compliment right?"
"Though it did goes straight to your heart, said the exact same word your dream guy was suppose to say, plus you just like him."
"You think? But I never did anything for him. Beside, I would have known if I had love him."
"I think it's time, time to show you and that you look deep within yourself. It's gonna be one of our last conversation"
"What do you mean?"
"You need me when you're not yourself, I'm the embodiment of what your afraid to admit. Back then, you wouldn't want Naruto because of popularity, now, you don't want to get hurt like when Sasuke and Naruto reject you the 1st time around. It's time."
"I can't believe this, plus I hate to admit it but I kind of like talking to you."
"I always be within you. I am you, and I might pop again from time to time. Now It's time I'll show you."
With that inner hug Sakura's in her mind before disappearing.
"We'll see each other again, now go get him."
She then begin to see everything she lived with Naruto. At the start how she did find him annoying. When she laugh internally when he prank Kakashi. How she found him courageous when he take back his headband from Zabuza. How he praised her for her skills at chakra climbing and how he wasn't afraid to ask her for tip . How she was ready to give up the Chunin exam to not see Naruto's dream being crushed, thinking about him, not herself or even Sasuke. How he face Orochimaru without showing any sign of fear at the exam. How she had to protect both him and Sasuke from the 3 sound genins. When they were both ready to open the scroll. Naruto had a plan and she did begin to thrust him even if it mean breaking the rules. Then when they got the lecture from Iruka-sensei. They did get compare to Heaven and Earth, they were shown being opposite who needed each other.
Naruto was the one who cheer for her to break Ino's mind transfer jutsu. She did was the 1st to cheer for him in both his match with Kiba and Neji. Then after the big sand/sound invasion
Flashback
"Sasuke, thank you for saving me from Gaara"
"It wasn't me, it was Naruto"
"Oh cmon, don't be so modest."
"No trust me, it was him, you should have seen him. He fought tooth and tail just to save you."
She remember the way she look at him and how she did felt back then.
(End of flashback)
How when Sasuke leaves the village, she turned to Naruto for help, asking her blond knight to bring him back. Not only because Sasuke was important to her, but also because she trust him completely back then. She recall her thinking about how she thought that Naruto never understand her at the start, before realizing that he's the one understanding her the most. She remember how Naruto felt about his failure and how she promised that they will grow strong together to bring back their lost teammate. How hard she trained with Tsunade back then. Those 2 years were so fast. Oh when she see him again. He look more mature and handsome, but he was still the same. The bell test with Kakashi. Where they managed to beat their sensei by getting the bell from it, thanks to Naruto's ingenuity. How by now, she was able to accept date with him afterward. She remember the Kazekage rescue mission.
(Flashback)
"But what happen to a jinchuriki when their bijuu are extracted?"
"They die"
…...
"You still cried easily Sakura-chan. Don't worry we'll make sure Gaara is saved."
"Naruto it's not about Gaara I'm worry about, it's y..."
"Let's go"
She didn't want to risk losing him, especially after getting him back so soon.
(End of Flashback)
When they met their new teammate Sai, how he did badmouth Sasuke. and then Naruto and she punch him straight to the face. Later Sai ask
(Flashback)
"You know Sai, I tell you that I would have send you flying if you bad mouth Sasuke-Kun again. I wouldn't hold back this time."
"..."
"But it's because of what Naruto said. That to save Sasuke-Kun, he even work with someone like you, who bad mouth him. So no matter who you are, to save Sasuke-kun, I won't hurt you."
"Sakura-san, you very … yeah, you very gentle with with Naruto. I don't understand feeling like those, it was in a book that I read."
"Come on, let's get going" said Naruto.
Even Sai, who didn't know back then feeling, didn't even know how to feel with the death of his brother and other emotions, was able in 1 day to detect how protective she was about Naruto's feeling.
(end of this flashback)
The event on the Heaven and Earth bridge. When Naruto transform into the four-tails. What she saw. When Kabuto telling her that he become a monster to get Sasuke. She want to bring him back, but it wasn't worth losing Naruto to that power. She began to run and pleading him to stop, telling him that she will bring Sasuke back, not for herself but for him, to please stop this. The monster hit her with his tail. But she never see the monster. She only she her best friend in trouble.
(Flashback)
After Naruto turn back, she saw his damage body. She attempt to heal him, despite her own injure arm, asked Yamato to teach her the jutsu he use to stop him. He answer him that he can't, because she wouldn't be compatible to learn it because she didn't have the 1st Hokage's cell. She then said with a sad smile on her face with tears.
"Same as always, I can only do the dumbest thing for Naruto"
"Sakura, it's not what you do for Naruto that count, it's how you feel about him."
She looked at him surprise, like he see through her something. He then added with a knowing smile
"I can tell just by looking at you... The truth is you.."
Naruto woke up.
(End of the flashback)
Sai and Yamato, she barely knew them back then and they both seem to know that she did have feeling for him. She continue to see flash, when they finally cross path with Sasuke. How he was cold, how he almost strike down Naruto. How she was ready to fight against him then, until Yamato step in front. How they both cried over Sasuke when he escape, swearing to become stronger together.
She then remember how Sai made her reveal again how she care, for Naruto, while she watch him training for the development of Rasen-shuriken. How she cook him pill to give him strength for his training. After his fight with Kakuzu, how she heal his arm, warning him about not using that jutsu again, afraid that they might not be able to heal him. When she suggested to help him eat, how he instantly smile and blush.
When Jiraiya passed, how useless she felt when Naruto barge out of the room. When Naruto leaves to train in Sage mode. How he always there when she need him, like when she yell out is name out of despair during the pain invasion, and he appear ready to face Pain. When he appear, he gave her hope. That's why when he win and saved everyone, she hug him and said thank you to him. He meant so much to her.
When Sai inform her that Naruto love her, but that whatever promise they had was hurting him it triggered mixed feeling. She did feel joy to know that Naruto love her, but shame and guilt about the whole Sasuke promise. She couldn't believe it. She was the cause of Naruto's pain. She didn't deserve him. She had to do something. That 1st confession was to comfort him, lift the burden of the promise and protecting him. Afterall, Sasuke was Akatsuki and Naruto a jinchuriki. What she didn't expect was Naruto's rejection. She was angry that he reject her. At the same time, she knew that he saw through her, because she said that she didn't care of Sasuke, which wasn't the truth, she did want to end it herself. Sasuke almost kill her twice that day. She was saved by Kakashi, and then by Naruto. He still believe that team 7 will had a happy ending when she gave up. He really did give her hope.
Then she saw the war. Where she receive a love letter from a random shinobi. How it did make her reflect on Sasuke
(Flashback about her rejecting the guy with the love letter)
"You see, There is someone else I.."
"Oh I see. I figure as much. I suppose it's not very polite what kind of person you liked. I get it though, I'll get out of here"
"I'm sorry"
"But if there is one thing I know, if it's somebody that you like, then it's bound to be a great person."
(end of flashback)
She saw herself reflecting on what Sasuke has become. She remember how Naruto saves her from the Zetsu's army, when she saw him the 1st time with the Kyubi's chakra. How he manage to tame the beast. When she met his father. He did ask if she was his girfriend. The situation was embarrassing, Naruto did say more or less, like he working on it. She knew that her 12 years old self at the start would have deny with authority that statement. But here, she didn't. A part of her would like to be maybe. Though she find a little humor in this situation, until the 4th ask her to take care of his son, she knew now that he would trust her with him, that now it was serious. When Sasuke shows up, she didn't trust him, she couldn't, not after what they've been through. She's finally been able to fight along the side of her teammates, not from the sidelines. She remember when she almost lost Naruto during the war. How she needed to save him, his dream, his life. The way she almost put herself almost to chakra 0. When they all fight Madara, then Kaguya, when Naruto save her and show concern while she was in danger, compare to Sasuke who tried to get a hit on Madara by trying to stab through her, or didn't move to save her, when Naruto asked him to, Sasuke didn't move and Kakashi had to make the save. She even saved his life but he didn't seems to care much.
She finally saw after the fight with Kaguya, when she said she loved him, in an attempt to compelled him not to fight them,it was more like family, he was her teammate, she wants him back like the good old days, when he used to care about his teammate and friend, like in the chunin exam and the gaara fight. They were all happy back then. Instead he knock her out with a genjutsu (showing himself killing her by stabbing her heart)
She realize now, that she had move on from him. She see him as family, a teammate. While Naruto become something more.
"But if there is one thing I know, if it's somebody that you like, then it's bound to be a great person."
Those word echoes in her head.
"After all this time, I always like him, whether I'd like to admit it or not, he was the one all along. If I knew it was him, maybe we would have been together sooner. There were always some feeling for Sasuke because of those words, he was the 1st to compliment my forehead, instead of laughing at it. But it wasn't Sasuke, it was Naruto. You've always been there for me. I guess he is the one who always did understand me. Yes he's the one."
(End of Sakura's mind)
"Sakura... Earth to Sakura" said Naruto
Sakura comeback to reality and said while blushing
"Go ahead"
"euh what?"
"You can kiss my forehead if you like Naruto-kun"
Naruto was taken by surprise. He almost jump of joy, tried his best not too and succeed. But he thinking about it. Then he just said okay.
Yeah, I cut the two chapter instead of having them in one big. Next one is the chapter but from Naruto P.O.V