Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ An Endless Cycle of Unrequited Love ❯ You Don't Know Me ( One-Shot )

You Don't Know Me

 

We've been friends since elementary school, going through the twists and turns of life…

You thought you knew everything about me.

But you don't, Sakura, and maybe, you never will.

 

You'll never know that I loved you, that

I still love you, and that I will cherish you until I die.

 

…Goodbye, Sakura-chan…

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“Naruto-kun, are you saying that you can't dance?”

 

On the side of the dimmed gym floor, a sixteen year-old blonde shuffled in his black dress shoes, averting his ocean-blue eyes to the floor, not wanting to see the interrogating female's piercing emeralds. “N-no,” he stuttered, “it's not that! It's just…uh—”

 

“You bring me, your best friend, to prom, without learning how to dance?!”

 

“Aw, Sakura-chan, I can explain, really! I—”

 

Naruto's explanation was interrupted by fits of laughter. He looked at his `date,' who was shaking her rose-tinted hair bun and clutching the sides of her strapless lime-green dress.

 

“Sakura…?”

 

“She wheezed, “Oh, Naru…Naruto…why didn't you…tell me beforehand? I…hehe…I could've helped you!”

 

“Ne, Sakura-chan—”

 

Twirling in her black stilettos, she raised her left hand, ushering the puzzled boy to take it. “Come on, I'll teach you now.”

 

You give your handto me, and then you say “Hello”

And I can hardly speak; my heart is beating so

 

The blonde teen nodded, putting his black jacket over the orange button-up shirt, and wordlessly took her hand as she brought them near the center of the stage. Giving him a reassuring smile, Sakura placed his hands on her waist and hers around his shoulders. “See? This isn't so bad now, is it?”

 

“But, Sakura! I already know how to dance!”

 

Shaking her head and squeezing his broad shoulders, the rosette stuck her tongue out at him. “Naru-kun, you may look good in a black tux, but that doesn't hide your lying face. I've known you for what, since middle school? I think I know when you're not telling the truth by now.”

 

Naruto frowned, slightly hurt by his best friend's words. “You sayin' that you don't believe in my abilities of the art of dancing with the opposite sex?”

 

“I only believe that you can swallow ten bowls of ramen every day per meal. Sorry, Naruto, I don't—FWAYA!”

 

Catching her off-guard, Naruto grinned as she gave the startled female a quick twirl, catching her in a low dip. Their faces came close, breaths mingling with each other. Seeing Sakura blush even darker, the cerulean-eyed male brought her back up. “See? I can too dance! Iruka-sensei taught me!”

 

And anyone can tell…that you think you know me well...

 

The rosette teen pouted, poking him lightly on the chest. “Ne, Naruto, I guess I underestimated you.”

 

“Damn straight, Pinky! Dattebayo!”

 

“Hey!” she bopped him on the head. “No saying the `p-word,' and don't you dare start rubbing it in!”

 

Wincing at her violent reaction, Naruto smiled sheepishly. “Alright…but thanks for dancing wi—ITAI!” he cried out, rubbing both his left arm and his head. “Why twice?!”

 

It was Sakura's turn to smile, now. “Hehehe, you underestimated me. And, your welcome, Naruto.”

 

But you don't know me

 

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Ah, nothing like another cup of ramen to counter the storm! Naruto thought happily as he looked outside. Indeed, the rain dropped like no tomorrow, with thunder and lightning as its constant chorus.

 

“Ah well, I hope that it'll—the ramen's ready!” he exclaimed, eagerly taking out his seventh bowl from the microwave. Right as he broke his chopsticks to delve into the instant meal, a soft knock came upon his apartment door. Grunting, the blonde pulled an orange t-shirt while wiping the broth from his face with the back of his hand. Wiping them on his striped boxer-shorts, he gripped the doorknob. “Coming!”

 

As the oak door swung open, his eyes widened with it at the awful sight.

 

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“Ne, Sakura-chan? Why are you—OOMPH!”

 

The drenched, pink-haired female ran straight into his arms, rubbing mascara-streaked tears all over his shirt. Naruto, after a full five minutes, deducted that, from her dress jeans and green tank top, Sakura had just come from a party.

 

“Na-Na-Narutooo!” she sobbed as he closed the door. “It was-hic-awful!”

 

Concern spread quickly throughout his whisker-tattooed face. “What happened/ is baa-chan okay? Was your car stolen? Your purse? Did someone try to rape you?”

 

Sakura shook her head to all of those questions. “Ga…Gaara-kun…h-he—”

 

“Is he okay? Did he try to hurt you? I SWEAR that son-of-a-bitch—”

 

“—dumped me!”

 

You don't know the one

Whodreams of you at night.

 

Closing the door and making an extra bowl of ramen, both eighteen year-olds ate while the rosette told the blonde of her dinner-date night gone down the drain.

 

Naruto frowned as he listened to her, hardly touching his food. She was eating like crazy! Finishing her third bowl (along with his since he wasn't really eating), he took the empty dishes and set them in the sink, looking for an extra set of clothes to change into.

 

An hour later, when she finally calmed down, her best friend tucked her into his own bed, muttering a “Get some sleep” in her ear. With puffy green eyes, she spoke.

 

“Naruto-kun?”

 

“Hai?” he paused at the doorway. “Need anything?”

 

“No…” she replied, softly adding, “I'm sorry for intruding on your day off like this, though…”

 

The cerulean-eyed teen gave the rosette a sheepish grin. “Hehe, it's alright, Sakura. I'll have plenty more free days from Ichiraku…dattebayo!”

 

Nodding, she closed her eyes, resting her head back on the white pillow. “You're a great guy, Naruto…why can't I have a boyfriend like that…?”

 

“…you could, if you'd let me…” Naruto said softly, turning to look at her. “I'd treasure you forever, like no other guy you'd ever been with.”

 

Who longs to kiss your lips,

And longs to hold you tight—oh!

 

“Sakura, I know it's a weird time to ask, but…” he began, “will you be my—”

 

His question was never finished, nor answered. All because of five simple words that escaped her lips:

 

“You're a great friend, Naruto…”

 

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His heart cracked, and he stepped back into reality.

 

Of course…we're friends, best friends…and nothing more.

 

Trying to maintain his composure, he walked over to her sleeping form, kissing her forehead. “Anything for you, Sakura…anything.” Pulling the blue covers over her slender body, he took his place on the couch in the living room.

 

The rainstorm had simmered down to a heavy drizzle, but the water works were just beginning inside his house.

 

“Looks like the ramen isn't balancing the rainstorm like it should…”

 

Oh, I'm just a friend. That's all I've ever been…

`Cause you don't know me.

 

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I never knew

Theart of making love

 

Naruto sighed, grabbing his third can of beer. “I don't know how else to tell her, Sasuke! Can you help out a friend in need?”

 

Scoffing, the ebony-haired twenty year-old flipped another page of the newspaper. “Dumbass, you seriously need that much help in wooing a girl? At least I now know that you aren't gay…”

 

“Bastard!” the blonde chucked an empty can at the other male, and missed by a hair. “Just…well…what do you do to get a girl to know you're interested?”

 

Sighing, Sasuke picked up the can and threw it into the recycling bin—at which Naruto laughed; who knew that the human ice-cube cared about the environment?—and motioned him to the door. “Let's go for a walk, and I'll give you some pointers on your girl problems…dobe.”

 

After about fifteen minutes in the park, Sasuke sighed, leaning against the bridge. “You're hopeless. Why did I even bother to help you?”

 

“But why should you ask her out on a Thursday? Why do you need to say, `I got something important to say to you', and then go `Iloveyou' in front of her face? How the hell does that help?!”

 

Rubbing his temples, the Uchiha tried to block out all his other questions. “You wanted my help, moron, and that's what I have to say to you.”

 

“Can you explain why I need to do these things?” Naruto whined, blue eyes sparkling with hope…maybe now he could ask Sakura out!

 

Groaning, he turned around to face the annoying prick. “If you do it on any other day, she'll be too tired or stressed or in a hurry to take in what your saying; you're giving the female some time to think about it—over the weekend. Do you understand that at least?”

 

“Yeah, but—”

 

“And, if you say it hurriedly, truthfully, and quickly, it gives…it's `romantic'. Women like romantic.”

 

Though my heart aches

Withlove for you

 

Scratching his head, Naruto narrowed his eyes to match his friend's. “How the fucking hell do you know this stuff?”

 

“I have a life; you don't.”

“I don't see women sprawling over you, teme!”

 

“That's because I'm not interested in a relationship right now, dobe.”

 

Shaking his head, the twenty year-old blonde smirked. Maybe, like what Neji says, the perfect girl isn't here yet.

 

“Hn.” The Uchiha turned around, facing the other direction Naruto was in. “I'm going home.”

 

“Fine, bastard! I'll see you later!” Naruto waved, watching his friend retreat. Scratching his forehead, he started thinking of a way to talk to Sakura on “the special day”…

 

Over the phone?—no, he'd probably stutter in the receiver. How about at an ice cream shoppe?—but then he'd drool over his dessert and not get anything out of his mouth…besides the vanilla ice cream. Online?—that would be too cowardly.

 

Before he could think it out any further, he heard a shriek and a crash, sounding awfully like—

 

A pink-haired girl was slipping off of a tree branch, with no one there to help her.

 

—Sakura!

 

Just as the blonde ran to help her, a black blur got to the tree first, the one the blonde knew ass…teme.

 

Sasuke…? Naruto frowned, hiding behind one of the bushes. I thought you left home already! What the hell are you doing here at the park, still?

 

“Are you okay?” Sasuke asked, catching her bridal style. “What the fuck were you thinking, climbing a tree with sandals?”

 

“I'm sorry!” the flustered rosette cried, arms draping around his neck like a lifeline. “This…idiot…he threw my bag up the stupid tree! I…I can't…”

 

“…Loser,” he muttered, setting her down gently as he climbed up the tree, grabbing the mesh bag from the branches. He dropped down and tossed it to her. “Why don't you ask for help, next time?”

 

Sakura frowned, pursing her lips. “I'm sorry, but I don't go up to random strangers saying, `Hey, want to give a cute girl a hand?' Honestly…!”

 

“Oh, I wouldn't say `cute',” the chicken-haired male smirked, seeing her flare up. “I'd say something else.”

“Pray tell, what might that something be?” she snarled, cracking her knuckles. Sure, the young woman was in a blue tank top and mini-skirt, but that didn't mean she acted the part of a girly-girl!

 

“…Hn.” He shrugged, and walked away, stuffing his hands in his blue jeans.

 

Afraid and shy, I let my chance go by

The chance that you might love me, too

 

“Hey…! Wait, Mr. Ice Cube!”

 

He turned around, half-smirking at her attempt to call him a name. “Yeah, Pinky?”

 

Ignoring the comeback, she panted, tugging onto his black t-shirt. “I have to…thank you…”

 

Sasuke shook his head. “Really, I don't think—”

 

“Would you like to go out for coffee or something?”

 

He stared at her incredulously. She didn't ask for a date, or a kiss, or a hug, like what most women did…but for coffee?

 

Sakura frowned, looking at him innocently. “Unless you're busy or something…”

 

He shook his head. “No.”

 

Her emerald eyes dulled a bit, “Oh, okay. Well, thanks anyway.” Turning around and starting (blindly) towards Naruto's direction, a calloused hand grabbed her shoulders.

 

“No, not `no thank-you',” he quickly explained, “I meant `no, I'm not busy.' How about Starbucks? It'll be my treat.”

 

Onyx stared intently at the woman, getting the answer he had waited for.

 

“Sure…but aren't I supposed to pay for you?” Sakura asked, confused by his offer.

 

For the first time, in a long time, Naruto saw Sasuke smile.

 

“It's not every day a hot chick falls from a tree and asks for my company. Why would I pass that opportunity up?”

 

Naruto's blue eyes widened. He did not…just do that!

 

She was about to hit him, but he had grabbed her hand and tugged her along. “Come on, let's go.”

 

The broken-hearted blonde trudged away, running as fast as he could back to his apartment.

 

He had seen Sakura smile at the teme's hidden comment.

 

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Naruto had slowly broken off his ties with those two, and continued working endlessly in the Ichiraku ramen business, which had slowly started becoming a chain all over Japan. One afternoon, he checked inside his mailbox. Among the bills and newspapers, was an invitation.

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Mr. & Mrs. Shikamaru Nara
request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their close friend
Sasuke Uchiha
to
Miss Sakura Haruno
at Neon Lights Café, Kusagakure

on Saturday, the 11th of September
at 3.30 o'clock
followed by a reception.

_______________________________________

 

He arrived at the wedding, present in-hand, and watched the ceremony unfold itself. Sakura was beautiful, no, gorgeous, in her white wedding gown, and with Sasuke in his black tuxedo…

 

…He wished it was not his friend, but him, instead.

 

At the reception, while chatting it up with some of Sasuke's relatives, the newly-wed wife came over and gave Naruto a hug from the back.

 

“Naruto-kun, you came! I missed you, y'know! I mean, yeah, I saw your ramen business skyrocket, but I could never get a hold of you!”

 

Smiling at his childhood friend, he replied, “Owning a business is a lot of work, I don't get out very often.”

 

“A…ano? What happened to the energetic blonde that ate ramen?!” she stared, not believing the words that had just came out of his mouth. “The Naruto I knew never spoke so formally!”

 

“Demo, I guess talking to the other businesses gets to you, dattebayo,” he added cheerfully, receiving a ruffle from her manicured hand.

 

“Ah, so he didn't fade away! That's good; I don't know what I'd do with you if he did.”

 

He trembled as he grinned, “I hope not another whack on the head…you really do pull a mean punch, Saku-chan!”

 

She gave him a toothy smile. “Just like old times, ne? How about a dance, too?” she extended her left hand in front of his face.

 

Just like prom night.

 

You give your hand to me, and then you say “Goodbye”

 

Nodding, the blonde took it, and led her to the dance floor. The two smiled at each other, giving comments and making some small talk, not knowing the pair of jealous onyx eyes staring at them.

 

“Heh, Naruto, you know, Sasuke says he has you to thank.”

 

He looked at her, surprised, “Eh?”

 

She nodded. “Yep! He said that if it wasn't for you, he wouldn't have seen me at the park! That, and he said I would be suffering from paralysis by now.”

 

Or, I would have come to catch you from your fall, and I'd be the one marrying you, he wanted to say, but instead, “Wow, the Sasuke Uchiha, the one with a rod up his ass, gives me gratitude?”

 

“Yeah, I know. I swear, though, he can be so over-protective sometimes…”

 

Naruto saw, as he half-listened to Sakura's ranting, her husband come towards them, but he kept this to himself.

 

He wanted the last few seconds with her before she waltzed out of his love life.

 

I watch you walk away, beside the lucky guy

You'll never know the one who loves you so

 

“Hey, dobe, mind if I cut in?”

 

Both heads looked up, seeing Sasuke taking her hand. “She is my wife, man.”

 

As Sakura tried to protest at his sudden gesture, the blonde cut her retort short. “Of course…teme. Sakura,” he turned to the startled bride, “dance your heart out, like prom.”

 

Her eyes glistened as she gave her best friend a peck on both cheeks. “Naru-kun…you really are something.”

 

Naruto chuckled as a lone tear trailed down his face as he watched the two newlyweds dance the night away. He whispered to her the same phrase he silently told her since prom night:

 

“Well, you don't…know me.”

 

 

Author's Notes:

 

My Disclaimers are that Naruto does not belong to me; Masashi Kishimoto is the wonderful creator of this series, and “You Don't Know Me” was composed by Eddy Arnold…I also know that Michael Bublé sings this song. -cheezygrin-

 

Yes, I used an American wedding. Sorry, I don't know how a ceremony in Japan is. n.n;; And, poor Naruto, he never gets the gal…Sasuke, you woman-stealer! xD

 

Well, there's my first knack at a songfic! A serious one, too…Hope it wasn't horrible or anything…maybe, when I'm a better writer, I'll look over this, insult and chuckle at it…then fix it up again. -laughs-