My mouth went dry. The world around me seemed to freeze in its tracks as I watched the figure of my affection descend out of view. I moved towards the balcony, but I stumbled and fall face first on the tiling. I shut my eyes. I failed her.
"Naruto, what the hell are you doing?"
I furrowed my brow. I must've knocked myself out or gone insane, because that voice sounded a little too much like Sakura's.
My eyes shot open and I rolled over to look toward the voice. Emerald eyes of concern met mine from the balcony. Sakura had been peacefully stargazing before being startled by my fall.
"Jesus, Naruto. Please tell me you aren't fucking high again. If you are, you can just go before you embarrass me."
I pushed myself from the ground to stand, and grimaced at what she was insinuating. She really thought that low of me?
"No, I promise. I just…" I paused not knowing how to end the sentence. Saying I had been hallucinating would only justify her accusation of drug abuse. I honestly don't know what even came over me. It seemed so real, so vivid.
"I'm just a little tired."
I faked a yawn. She rolled her eyes turning back to the brightly lit night sky.
I grabbed the blanket from the hospital bed and wrapped it around her shoulders.
She instantly tenses and sharply intakes breath. Instinctively, I jump back a step.
Sakura turned to me defensively.
"Oh! I just, uh, thought you might be kind of cold. So I thought I'd help you warm up. Yeah." I gave a sheepish grin, hoping to mask my nervousness and to reassure her.
She gave me a skeptical look over, before turning back around.
"Fine," Sakura gave an exasperated sigh."Just be careful with my shoulder. The stitches are still pretty tender."
I nodded, though she didn't see me. And opted for standing next to her, resting my hands on the railing of the balcony.
A soft wind rolled by causing the aroma of Sakura berry shampoo wafted from her hair and into my nostrils. I breathed in the aroma, letting it drift me of into the nostalgia of the normalcy our relationship once had.
"Nights like these put me at ease." She just looked up into the sky and gave a content smile.
The moonlight graced her features, illuminating them. I glanced up the where she was looking and enjoyed the view with her.
"Naruto, what are we?"
"Huh?"
She turned herself around so that she could face me.
"Are we even together anymore?"
"Of course we are! We never broke up." I rose my eyebrows, surprised she'd even question our relationship.
The corners of Sakura's lips curved downward.
"Well, it didn't seem like it when I saw that other woman in your house the other day. You can be honest with me if you don't want to be with me, Naruto. But don't try to string me along like a fool."
I'm taken aback by her statements. And for a moment, I'm at a loss for words. I barely even knew what was happening then, nor who that woman was or how she and those drugs ended up in my house.
But a part of me knew who was up to this, even though I'd like to believe otherwise.
"I swear, Sakura. I honestly had nothing to do with that. I don't even know who that woman was. Someone set me up."
"Who?"
"Sasuke."
"Ughhhh!" Sakura let out a frustrated groan.
She pointed a finger into my chest poking at it as she spoke. "Really, Naruto? For once could you just take responsibility and be honest! You pinning the blame on someone else isn't going to solve the issue. So I'm guessing you're going to blame Sasuke for those drugs I saw on your table too, huh?"
"Yes! Exactly!"
"Really, Naruto? Really? You couldn't come up with anything better?"
"Sakura, please." raise my hands in a reassuring manner, trying to reason with her. "Just trust me on this. I know it was him! I just need you to believe me!"
"Alright," she crossed her arms. "Where's your proof?"
"Er…" I bit my lip, and adverted my gaze to the side. "See, well, I don't exactly have any solid evidence right now, but I just know!"
"Goodbye, Naruto. I don't have the energy to argue with you. I am trying my best to think there is some hope for you to get better, but everyday you always find a way to prove me wrong." She closed her eyes and massaged her temples for a brief moment, took a deep breath.
"I'm not even trying to argue with you. You're just not listening to what I have to say. You always do this!"
"Sakura, just promise me you'll stay away from Sasuke. I don't trust him and you shouldn't either." I plead with her.
Sakura just scoffs. "Why not? He hasn't given me a reason not to, unlike you."
She grimaced a bit at the last sentence, before averting her gaze from me and turning back towards the balcony to look up at the night sky.
"Sakura…"
"Just stop, Naruto. I think we need to officially break things off. Maybe take some time to see other people, and reevaluate our lives. Hopefully now you can get the help you need and get your shit together. Until then, I can't see myself being with you."
I swallowed, my throat going dry as I tried to process what Sakura was saying to me. Were things really over for us? Just like that?
"Please don't do this. You're the only person I have right now, please." I reach out to touch her, but she smacks my hand away as she turned around.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she gave a small smile. Her lips trembled as she struggled to speak again.
"Well, look at the bright side. You'll be able to not think about me and focus more on getting better. The sooner you get better, the sooner we can begin to put the pieces of our relationship back together. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. Please."
My vision begins to blur, as I struggle to hold back my tears.
"Alright. I'll respect your decision. But, just know that my feelings for you have never changed."
She proceeded to wrap her arms around me, pulling me into a loving embrace. Her body was trembling as she struggled to hold back her sobs.
I brushed back Sakura's bangs and planted a kiss on her forehead, looking down at her endearingly.
She was honestly concerned about my well being.
"I promise I'll get rid of my problem."
I gave her a weak grin, trying to be strong for her, before departing.
Sakura's POV
It's been two hours since he'd left. Though I knew the decision I made was
in Naruto's best interest, I still couldn't let go of the feelings I had for him.
Two knocks came from my door.
"Come in." I called out.
"Hello, miss Haruno. How are you ?"
"Well."
"That's good to hear. Because your stitches have already been done and the cuts weren't too major, we're able to dispatch you tonight. Is that fine with you ma'am?"
"Yeah."
The doctor gave a brief nod and flipped through the paperwork attached to his clipboard, scribbling with his pen.
He hummed to himself a few times before slipping his pen back into his lab coat pocket.
"Alright, Miss Haruno, you're set to go. I'll give you privacy to change back into your clothes. After then, go to the front desk in the lobby to be properly dispatched. Have a nice day!"
He gave me a wave and I spared a small smile, as he exited the room.
The sunlight spilling through my blinds woke me. After being dispatched and getting my medicine prescription, I caught a taxi home and decided to catch up on some much needed rest.
I rolled over the on my side, and caught sight of my alarm clock beside my plls that was prescribed to before being dispatched and a glass of water.
2:37 P.M.
With a roll of my eyes, I willed myself to sit up right, letting my eyes adjust to my bright room. I moved my shoulder in circular movements, back and forth. I didn't feel any pain so I guess my stitches were healing my cuts pretty quickly.
I got myself up and into the shower, and made myself a spinach omelet for breakfast. I let my thoughts consume me as I digested my meal. With Naruto agreeing to get help for his addiction, my mind finally feels at ease. I can finally focus on helping myself. First things first, I need job.
I made my way to my rom to check my computer to see if I had any replies from the places I applied.
I was almost shocked when I saw that I had a new email in my inbox. I clicked on it eagerly and scanned the contents.
Miss Haruno,
Your application to our waitress position at La Lune has peaked our interest. Please give us a call so we can discuss it further. We look forward to hearing from you!
Tsunade Senju
Manager - La Lune
(555)555-6699
"YES!" I jumped onto my bed and did a victory dance as I squealed with excitement. I plopped myself backward onto my bed, and grinned contently.
Naruto would be proud, wouldn't he?
I took a couple deep breaths outside of the restaurant's entrance. I had the pre-interview jitters and
I didn't need them getting in the way of me getting this job. If I were to mess this up, I don't know how I'd live it down.
I put on a subtle grin as I pushed open the door. The restaurant wasn't very busy today. Only low hums of conversation from the few occupied tables reverberated throughout the room. I made my way down a aisle, scanning around the room for anyone who looked like they could be the manager of this establishment.
They must really be in need of employees because I'm struggling to find any at all. I walk further into the restaurant and approach a small bar.
I reached into my pocket to pull out the email, I took the liberty of printing before coming, out of my pocket.
When I lifted my head, I saw two young men doing the lip tango. One had I cleared my throat, hoping they'd notice my presence and stop.
They continued kissing, as if not hearing anything.
"Excuse me."
They ignored me yet again
I went to tap one of the males on the arm. Before I could lift a finger, a hand laid down on my shoulder tenderly.
I turned to meet the person and was met by a busty blonde woman, offering me an apologetic smile in return.
"Don't mind them. You must be…"
"Sakura." I answered quickly, "Sakura Haruno. I'm here for the my interview."
Tsunade clapped her hands together joyously.
"Oh, of course, of course! Let's step into my office."
I nodded and followed her into the back room, passing one last glance over my shoulder at the two males who were still wrapped in their embrace.
Naruto's POV
I trudged home from the hospital, stuffing my freezing hands into my coat pockets. My heart was racing and my head was pounding. She wouldn't listen to me about Sasuke, and knowing him, he'll take advantage of that.
Mid-thought, my face met the hard chest of another man. I began to apologize profusely to man in the trenchcoat and baseball cap. He rose an eyebrow over his large rimmed sunglasses, as I tried to maneuver myself around him.
As I began walking away from him, I felt a sharp tug of the back of my collar.
"AAAAACK!" I choked. My hands flew up to my neck, desperately trying to pry my collar off of my neck.
I felt my body being dragged across the pavement as I continues to struggle and gasp for air. Before long, we hit a sharp turn into an alleyway. My body was hoisted onto my feet and slammed my back against a brick wall.
"Long time no see, Naruto."
Sorry guys I took so long to update. The bullshit from the final chapter and the message kishimoto has been sending out to the public disgusted me. So I needed some time to myself. Thank you for stinking around. I'm going to complete everything I started. VIVA LA NARUSAKU