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“Sakura-chan!” Naruto loudly yipped, his eyes squeezed shut with the force of his smile. His cheeks puffed outwards, an adorable site especially with the boy’s whiskers.
An adorable site to anyone, but the 12 year old genin–Haruno Sakura.
The pink haired girl could not understand the brash boy before her. Nothing about him. Not even the little things, like why does he wear that thick jumpsuit or why is he so obsessed with ramen?
One big thing she doesn’t understand about the former class clown was his love for her.
In the academy Sakura would find worn, crinkled love letters. The paper was always filled with generic words written in sloppy crayon writing, decorated with flimsy cheap heart stickers.
Taking her infatuation with Sasuke-kun and Naruto’s rivalry with Sasuke-kun into account, academy Sakura had decided that Naruto didn’t really love her.
‘Naruto doesn’t even know me.’ Sakura had always reasoned with herself. And she does so now.
How could he really know her when the two don’t even talk, they never connect with each other. However, it is hard to assume Naruto would be so shallow . ‘Does he just compliment me to make Sasuke-kun jealous? Is Sasuke-kun jealous? How could Naruto love me ?’
“Sa-ku-ra-channn! Let’s go for ramen!” She scowled. “Please?” And her gaze softened. Sakura blamed her squishy heart on the young boy’s big bright smile.
“Fine, but it’s not a date Naruto!” Sakura reluctantly agreed, she faced away from Naruto–her arms folded over her chest and her face in a pouty expression.
If it was even possible, Naruto’s smile grew wider–brighter, and his eyes shined . He looked up at Sakura as though she hung the stars in the sky, the same stars that light up Naruto’s big blue eyes.
“Really?-” Naruto immediately replied before cutting himself off. Awe, clear as the summer sky, was painted across his face.
“I mean- Great! I’ll pay Sakura-chan!” Naruto continued. Along with his confident words, he wiped away his surprise and slung his arms behind his head–his signature pose if you will.
“Hm! Let’s get moving then.” Sakura turned on her heel, heading in the direction of Naruto’s biggest obsession–Ichiraku Ramen. As she expected, Naruto followed. The boy behind her was practically shaking with excitement. Bouncing up and down, up and down, and up and down again.
Sakura had an uninterested expression plastered on her face, however she was actually acutely listening to Naruto’s never ending jabbers. Naruto rambled about the dreams he had the night before, each detail of the training they did the day prior (In which Sakura was present, but Naruto still felt the need to recite it.), and about the exotic objects in the shops lining the roads.
Just as Naruto began to complain about Sasuke, Sakura cut him off; “Naruto, we're here.” She informed. Sakura’s arms were intertwined behind her back in a prissy manner and her eyes snapped shut dismissively.
Naruto smiled in return and entered the modest restaurant. They sat on the elevated stools, Naruto on the right and Sakura on the left. Many others also sat in the restaurant, a late lunch rush.
Teuchi came over with two bowls of steaming pork ramen in hand, neither of the two even had to order–perk of Naruto basically growing up there.
“Thank you, Teuchi-san.” Sakura respectfully thanked the old man, her head dipped into a light bow. “Ah! Thanks oji!” Naruto barked, ecstatic about the hot food in front of him.
Teuchi only laughed at the display, but much to Sakura’s confusion he turned to Naruto and winked. Naruto’s grin turned sheepish as he rubbed the back of his head, a light pink hue splayed across Naruto’s whiskers.
When Teuchi walked away, Naruto raised his pair of chopsticks filled with ramen up to his mouth–which was practically watering.
“Naruto! Be respectful. We have to say our thanks!” Sakura scolded. Her squeaky voice might sound annoying to some, but Naruto smiled and conformed to Sakura’s request.
“Itadakimasu!” They said in unison, however Naruto rushed his words and Sakura’s annoyance leaked into her own voice. Immediately after, Naruto shoved his food into his mouth, while Sakura ate at a leisurely pace.
Again Sakura returned to her thoughts about the boy next to her.
She, still, doesn’t understand his infatuation. It may seem hypocritical to say that when she is head or heels for Sasuke-kun, but to Sakura the answer is stupidly obvious.
Sasuke-kun is brilliant.
Yes she is book smart , but she lacks… everything. No legendary clan she hails from, no rare jutsus to save her friends with, and no mysterious aura that surrounds her.
So why her?
It’s the big question. One she can’t really find an answer to. ‘Is it just my looks? Referring to my exotic hair.’ But Sakura dismissed that thought, deeming it plain idiotic.
How could that be a real option as when she turns her head Sakura finds a bright yellow haired boy, with the biggest smile painted on his face. Naruto could never be shallow. It’s a fact. So does he love her?
.
.
.
-Three months later-
After the chunin exams it seemed Sakura’s whole, small, world fell apart.
When Sasuke only left her with a bitter apology and the sour taste of betrayal, did Sakura get a cold slap to the face. A reality check.
She’s never had someone so close to her hurt her before. And it only made her heart lerch out to Sasuke more, his own brother… It leaves stinging tears in Sakura’s eyes when she thinks about it too long.
But when the tears connected to her heart poured from her eyes, she looked up and found Naruto reassuring her. Promising her. A true promise to return Sasuke.
And in that moment Sakura realized that Naruto could have never not loved her. Not when he runs the extra mile, or does the perfect thing to make Sakura at least a little happier.
At that moment Sasuke didn’t matter as much. Because when Naruto smiled at her, Sakura found his whiskers adorable and his presence comforting.
Sakura didn’t have to look for anything–beg for anyone to stay, she always had a supporter next to her. And she needed to return this. Not as romance–not yet at least, but as friendship.
Sakura wouldn’t let Naruto face things alone, not when Sakura could use every part of her to assist him.
And with that thought, Sakura knew she needed Lady Tsunade to train her. Guide her so that Sakura may be strong enough to shield Naruto from the Gods if she has to.
Because Sakura will love hard, even if it’s platonic.
‘It probably won’t stay platonic knowing my history.’
.
.
.
- Three years later(16yo)-
It’s the one month anniversary of Haruno Kizashi and Haruno Mebuki’s death–Sakura’s parents. The couple had died during the Pein attack.
Many were lost in that horrendous attack, the village is still far from recovered. Battle is a brutal thing, but a normal thing to shinobi.
However, Haruno Sakura being an orphan is not a normal thing, it won’t ever be normal to Sakura.
Never.
Never.
Never.
Not when Sakura can’t come home to chaos and nagging, or to her father’s bone crushing hugs. Will she never experience her mother’s perfume again? Or the feeling of her mother’s silky blouse rubbing against her face?
Will she never taste her father’s cooking once more? Will he never teach her a new recipe again? Scold her for dipping her fingers into the food. Will Sakura never fall victim to her father’s teasing again?
What is she supposed to do when she took them for granted? Cry harder? Because to be frank, Haruno Sakura has no more tears left.
She’s wailed into her parents pillows–the smell of her mother’s shampoo and her father’s deodorant still lingering. Her sobs were animalistic, the only way you can cry when you’ve lost. Lost your mommy and your papa.
Maybe her parents weren’t the absolute best, but to acknowledge that leaves the taste of bile on her tongue.
She’d rather them be awful parents than dead.
‘I just want one more moment together, let me feel their warmth one more time. Only one more time, just one. I’ll be greedy no more, I promise.’
Sakura is no longer sad, but angry. Bitter. A dull feeling, weighing her body down. But not her mind, Sakura feels as though she could drift away.
Fisting the bed sheets underneath her hands, Sakura imagines her bed as her mother’s blouse. Rolling on her stomach and smushing her face into the pillow, Sakura imagines the pillow as her father’s chest.
The picture she conjures in her mind is one of her, 11 years old, bundled up between her parents watching a movie too dumb for her to remember the plot of.
Sakura almost smiles at the memory. Almost .
“Sakura-chan?” Sakura immediately knows who that familiar voice belongs to. Sakura gets up from her previous laying down position, instead sitting up looking at Naruto, who is perched on the window still.
“Hey Naruto.” Sakura responds tiredly. Her green eyes hold bags under them, evidence of her turmoil.
Naruto smiles and approaches Sakura. He sits down next to her, shoulder to shoulder.
Just like Sakura, he’s dressed in casual civilian garments. A baggy shirt and baggy pants, Sakura also wears a baggy shirt but with skin tight spandex shorts.
Pulling a large container of chocolate ice cream out of what seems to be thin air, Naruto waves it happily in front of Sakura.
She smiles gently.
“I brought you this Sakura-chan.” Naruto’s voice is quiet and comforting. He is very much aware of Sakura’s current mood.
“Thank you Naruto.” Sakura’s voice is a mere whisper, her throat coarse and dry.
Though it may have taken a while, Sakura now appreciates everything about Naruto. His dumb outfit, the fact he smells of Earth and slight saltwater, his loud nature, his so-called flaws from his ADHD, and his unhealthy eating habits.
Everything about him will always be perfect because when he smiles, Sakura forgets her anger–her sadness, bitterness. Everything, all pain suddenly forgotten.
Naruto pops open the container and sticks a shiny silver spoon into the slightly melted ice cream. The exact way Sakura prefers her ice cream.
‘Have you always been this perfect, Naruto?’
Sakura’s soft smile leaks into her eyes, joy–openly expressed through her green pupils. Naruto’s smile expands, forcing his eyes shut to make room for the art piece occupying his face–his smile.
They sit in silence as they both take the first few bites of the ice cream. Sharing a spoon. The two keep making eye contact each time they pass the spoon, collywobbles fill Sakura’s stomach. It alternates between who breaks the contact each time.
After about 7 bites of ice cream, Naruto puts the spoon down in the ice cream instead of gifting himself a bite. Sakura raises an eyebrow at his abruptness.
“Sakura-chan… Do you want to talk about it?” Naruto hesitantly questions, his eyes peering up to Sakura.
Sakura’s eyes fall down to her hands which sit folded in her lap. Naruto scoots closer to her, grabs her opposite shoulder and pulls her into his lap–leaning her against his chest.
In this position Sakura can feel the speeding thumps of his heartbeat and she can finally greedily soak up his scent. She feels her own heartbeat speed up and her face start to heat.
A warmth on her face, different from her romantic feelings, settles behind her nose. A warning of future tears, usually she would fight them–a fruitless battle–but now she doesn’t care.
She’s safe here.
If Naruto feels the wet spot forming on his shirt he doesn’t say anything, neither does Sakura as she softly cries. Not a sound is made, not a word is needed. Not yet.
“The- The little things… are going to be the ones I miss the most. I-I don’t know how I am supposed to be alone…” Sakura meekly confessed, her face still pressed into Naruto’s chest.
Naruto then lifts Sakura’s face, he cradles the sides of her face gently–as though it was a precious gem. “You will never be alone Sakura-chan, I’ll never leave you alone.”
Naruto leans forward and presses a chaste kiss to her forehead–right above her brow. Sakura closes her eyes, welcoming the fleeting comfort.
The feathery kiss awoken deep feelings. The warmth spreading through her chest was like a blooming flower–a cherry blossom if you will.
And it was all too familiar–Sasuke. This was how Sasuke made her feel, except it was accompanied with weak knees and sweaty palms.
But Naruto doesn’t make her feel nervous. With Naruto her imperfections are loved, because they make Sakura… Sakura.
With Naruto, Sakura can’t second guess if she looks pretty in this lighting or this dress. Because Naruto will always think she looks beautiful .
Interrupting her thoughts–Naruto’s hands fall from her face, instead resting on her shoulders. Sakura moves closer to him, taking in all his body heat greedily. The window is still open, letting a cool breeze into the room.
Sakura lays her head in the crevasse of Naruto’s shoulder, her breath tickles his neck.
Sakura’s hair falls into her face, slightly annoyed Sakura tries to blow a strand. When that fails, Naruto delicately tucks her hair behind her ear. His touch lingers, as though he was admiring her smooth pink locks.
Sakura can’t pretend she only holds platonic feelings for him, not anymore. Not when she gives into her temptations and plants a tender kiss to the side of his neck.
Naruto practically turns red, a flustered expression takes over his once composed face and a shy grin follows soon after. Amused, Sakura nestles closer to Naruto. In response Naruto wraps his arms around Sakura and lays his head on top of hers, which acts as an anchor of security to her.
“Naruto…” Sakura faintly whispers his name, as though she was afraid to speak over the wind. “Uh- Yes, Sakura-chan?” Naruto replies, his words caught in Sakura's hair.
“How’d you do it?”
“Do what, Sakura-chan?”
“Be on your own.”
It’s quiet, as though Naruto had stopped breathing just so he could focus on answering Sakura’s impending question. Only the dainty bristle of wind remains in the absence of their breaths.
As Sakura awaits Naruto’s response, she traces every muscle in Naruto’s back with her finger. Easing any tension Sakura’s question brought.
Naruto finally breathes, his thick exhale separating the hair on top of Sakura’s head. “Well…I don’t think I was really alone, Sakura-chan.”
“Who did you have with you?” Sakura mumbles, guilty of having sombered Naruto. “Well, you-” Sakura cuts him off; “Naruto… I was a fool when we were in the academy. I-I didn’t befriend you when I should have, I didn’t help you when I should have.”
“You could have never been a fool Sakura-chan!” Naruto retorts. “You're too smart for that.” He adds on. “Then why couldn’t I see your kindness sooner? I was blind, a fool.” Naruto frowns at her persistence.
“But we’re here now.” Naruto counters. “And I couldn’t be happier.” Sakura finishes. She releases a heavy breath.
“Please keep going, Naruto.”
“Ah- yeah, sorry for getting off topic, Sakura-chan.”
Naruto breathes a light laugh. “I had Teuchi-oji, Iruka-sensei, old man Sarutobi, and Inu-san.” Sakura’s eyes saden at the brief list. “Inu-san?” Sakura queries. “Yeah, the anbu who gave me supplies.”
They sit in silence for a moment, Sakura still rubbing Naruto’s back and Naruto’s head still resting on top of Sakura’s. But then Sakura breaks the contact and lays on her back, Naruto follows.
They now both lay on their backs, both of their heads settled on Sakura’s pillow. And their necks slightly turn so they stare into each other's eyes.
Naruto wills himself to keep talking. “Growing up, all adults looked at me as though I was a freak. They would teach their kids not to play with me and I always felt so lonely. I just wanted people to accept me or-or just tell me why they didn’t accept me.”
Usually Naruto would push his feelings back, he would look onto a better future where he was Hokage and these people had to accept him–appreciate him. But now as he is finally diving into his own life he realizes, guilty, that he feels bitter.
“Everyone thanked me and stuff after I defeated Pein… after I saved them. But before they acted as though they were too good to give me their time.”
Overwhelmed with sadness, Sakura reaches to give solace to Naruto. She grasped his hand, brought it in between the two of them and intertwined their fingers. Taking Sakura’s touch as encouragement, Naruto continued.
“I want people's respect, not their pity, not their hate. I’m sick of people dumping their malice on me.”
“You never deserved that Naruto.”
“T-Thank you, Sakura-chan.”
Naruto could barely find his words, touched by Sakura’s understanding. Because it wasn’t sympathy, it was empathy.
They openly stared at one another for long drawn out minutes. The ice cream long forgotten.
“Naruto.”
“Yes, Sakura-chan?”
“I can’t believe it took me all these years to realize how I truly feel about you.”
Sakura takes her other hand and cups Naruto’s face.
“I am in love with you.”
And with that Naruto closes the distance between their lips.