Welcome back. From a few requests, you guys can now send me anonymous reviews. In my defense, I had no idea there was such a feature. Please don't trample me.

Also, someone corrected me that I didn't mention about the OTHER (yaoi) pairings that people want to read about these days. I've got nothing against that, but for me personally, I have never read one and never intend to read one.

Anyway! Back to my Naru/Saku pairing. Something might happen that doesn't support this couple BUT never fear, it's for a cause!!

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Chapter 2

"Sasuke!" screamed Sakura. "Don't leave!"

I'm found chasing after Sasuke yet again. I can see the sickening look in his eyes as he notices me.

Sakura tried to persuade Sasuke to not leave but no such luck. He was determined to leave, in search of greater power to defeat his brother.

"Do you remember?" Sakura asked Sasuke of the time when he called her annoying.

"No," he answered shortly.

Is that so, thought Sakura. So foolish of me to keep thinking about that. What was the reason he said that I annoyed him anyway? Oh, yeah, Naruto. I started talking about Naruto's behavior.

"Please don't leave," repeated Sakura. "I really like Sasuke, to the point that it hurts."

But, do I really?

"I'd do anything for you. I'd kill for you!"

Wait, no, I wouldn't do that.

"If we were together, I promise that we'd be happy!"

No, I don't want to be together. The fire of liking Sasuke is slowly burning away and soon, nothing will be left but ashes. Painful memories of being rejected. They will be caught in the wind and separated from me forever.

Sakura's mind was thinking one thing, while her body was walking forward toward Sasuke. "I like you a lot," she said through tears. Her face was burning and her mind kept repeating no.

Sasuke didn't say anything.

Sakura leaned forward and gave him a small kiss on the lips.

I didn't feel anything.

I only THOUGHT I liked Sasuke. I was blinded by that thought. Through our time as a team, I didn't get stronger like him or -

Naruto. Naruto never deserved to be treated the way I treated him. I followed the society and treated him like something vile. This is so not right.

Sasuke turned his head away and started walking toward the exit.

"No!" again Sakura said what she didn't mean. "If you go, I'll scream!"

I actually want you to go, Sasuke. But, as a friend, I don't want you to go into any trouble that can cause death.

Sasuke quickly moved behind Sakura, said "thank you" and knocked her out.

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After Sakura woke up and told the Hokage's messengers of Sasuke's leave, she sat on the bench, while hugging her legs, thinking about her feelings.

This is wrong, she thought. I don't love Sasuke as I thought before. Why DID I think that? Because he's the cool rookie. Because he's so handsome, because he's so smart, because he's so strong. That?

Sakura started walking toward the village and glanced at one of the buildings. That's where Naruto lives; I have to talk to him.

I thought that if I kissed Sasuke, I'd feel great, but I feel very miserable, like I did something that was not supposed to be done.

"Naruto, I have to talk to you."

"Sakura!" exclaimed Naruto. "What? Why?"

"I gotta talk to you, now come on!"

Naruto took off his silly pajama hat and they ended up sitting on the rooftop of Naruto's home.

Sakura looked around at the village. It's such a peaceful morning, but soon, it won't be so peaceful. Once the Hokage finds out about Sasuke, no doubt she'll send out someone to bring him back.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" asked Naruto.

Sakura sat up straight. She completely forgot that Naruto was sitting right next to her, looking so seriously at her.

"I -," she started. "I want to apologize."

"What for?" he asked, the wind ruffling his hair.

Sakura looked down on the floor and a few silent tears ran down her face.

"I'm sorry for treating you so badly," she answered. "When we were introducing ourselves to Kakashi-sensei, I said that the thing I hate is Naruto, but I was very much mistaken. I'm sorry."

Naruto had a paralyzed look on his face. The wind picked up a bit.

"You don't have to -," he said. "I was very much used to such things. It stopped bothering me a very long time ago."

Sakura looked up into his blue eyes. She was crying freely now.

"I also didn't give you any credit for saving me," she said quietly. "I jumped to this stupid conclusion that Sasuke did it."

"But you're safe," replied Naruto, a small smile forming on his face. "That's all that matters."

Sakura felt like her heart was tearing. He doesn't care for that, she thought. He isn't a total screw-up like I grew up to judge him. He's not.

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed and threw herself on top of him. Naruto's heart was beating very fast. He had no idea what to do.

"I'm such an idiot," said Sakura though muffled sobs. "I didn't notice you, I didn't acknowledge you, and I didn't care for you."

She squeezed him as best she could. Naruto's expression softened. Even though he couldn't believe what he was hearing, he felt very happy. Sakura didn't stop crying. She held Naruto as though her life depended on it.

The wind slowed down.

"What made you change your opinion?" Naruto asked gently.

"I -," she whispered. "I don't know. Perhaps you've proved yourself to be a great person."

She let out a soft chuckle.

"Well," replied Naruto. "We can't stay like this forever."

Sakura quickly picked herself up and met Naruto's lips. He fell backward while Sakura was still locked with him.

I feel different, not like the time I kissed Sasuke. This feels much too right. This kind of feeling makes me so happy and grateful.

When they parted, Sakura hugged Naruto around the neck and they lay there for another few minutes.

"OY! NARUTO!" someone was screaming downstairs. "WE GOTTA GO DO SOMETHING!" Sounded like Shikamaru.

"Oh, no!" exclaimed Sakura, picking herself up. "I forgot to tell you!"

"What, what!?" asked Naruto frantically.

"Go down," she replied. "Shikamaru will tell you everything."

"Ah, but," said Naruto. He looked sadly at her.

"Don't worry about me," answered Sakura. She lightly kissed him again and whispered thank you in his ear. "Go!"

Naruto waved to her and as he was coming down the stairs, he heard Sakura say, "I'll be waiting for you to get back."

Naruto grinned to himself. His dreams of being acknowledged are finally coming true.

I love you now more than ever, Sakura-chan! he thought.

Sakura used another exit off the roof and as she was walking home, she felt a new warm feeling growing inside her heart. The love for Naruto.

The End.

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Alright! That's the end! Short but sweet. That's MY interpretation of events. How's THAT for romance?

Now, follow the real storyline of when Naruto and the others go in search of Sasuke.

Sakura will be waiting for you Naruto!

Bai bai!! ^(0_0)^

PS: In the REAL storyline, when Sakura came to ask Naruto to bring Sasuke back, he gave her a promise of a lifetime, and Sakura began to think "He always knew, he always helped me". Well, for some reason, that awoke a little thought in me, Sakura could be growing new feelings of realization!

But, whenever I wish for something, the opposite happens. Sakura REALLY made me mad when Naruto said, "You really like him, don't you?". I was ready to slap Sakura for making Naruto lose hope. Geez.