Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Falling Is Like This ❯ Part Two ( Chapter 2 )
[ P - Pre-Teen ]
By: Magical_Reality 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst | Type: One Shot | Uploaded On: 07.30.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.3K | Visits: 263 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst | Type: One Shot | Uploaded On: 07.30.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.3K | Visits: 263 | Status: Work In Progress
Title: Falling Is Like This
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, not me.
Summary: A little conversation between Naruto and Sakura, and Naruto and Iruka-sensei.
A/N: This be the second half. There may be a third, depending on where I want it to go. I’ll tell you one thing, though. ‘Tis be a SasuNaru…eventually. But! This is Naruto’s POV of what happened in the first half, and then some extra stuff you didn’t get to see. But when it gets to Iruka-sensei, Naruto’s thoughts are completely his own. So don’t get confused by the switch. So, enjoy. And review!!!
XxX
Part Two
XxX
Naruto blushed hotly as he slipped his hand behind his head, his smile covering up how nervous he felt inside. He just knew what Sakura was going think. She was going to hit him-probably because she thought he was talking about her-and then walk away. God, but he just needed advice!
‘What’d you want to ask me, Naruto?” The pink haired girl asked, tipping her head slightly to the side. Her hair was still short from when Ino had to cut it during the Chuunin exams, but it still fell over her eyes. Why hadn’t he fallen in love with her instead of…?
No, he told himself firmly. Just ask her the stupid question.
“Ano, Sakura-chan…” The blond trailed off, letting his arm fall back to his side. Why was this so hard? “A-Ano…do you know what falling in love is supposed to feel like?” Naruto lifted his head; his eyes silently pleading for his teammate to tell him that what he was feeling wasn’t love.
Please, just…I don’t want to feel this way about…him.
“Baka!” A solid fist connected with the side of his head, and for a moment he saw stars. Why was everything so difficult? “What kind of stupid question is that?” The pink haired girl crossed her arms over her chest and stared up at him defiantly. “You know how much I love Sasuke-kun!”
“That’s not-“
“-And you’re annoying!” Sakura huffed, then spun on her heel and walked away from him, just like Naruto thought she would. He stared after the girl for a moment before stuffing his hands into his pockets and walking in the opposite direction. He needed to find someone else to talk to about this.
XxX
After wandering around for an hour, Naruto’s feet took him to the clearing where he and Sasuke often sparred. There were memories here: burnt grass, splintered wood littering the ground, drops of already dried blood fading in the sunlight. Naruto remembered coming here whenever he wanted to blow off steam. It had happened a lot after the Uchiha had run off to join Sound.
Stupid, selfish bastard doesn’t know what he does to me. Naruto walked into the middle of the clearing, his eyes scanning the trees and such around him. And he never will.
“Dobe.” Naruto jumped and spun around, coming face to face with Sasuke. He tried to tell himself that he didn’t like the way the sun brought out the blue in his teammate’s hair. The Uchiha stayed quiet, his face unreadable and his eyes giving away nothing. “Oi,” the dark haired teen finally grunted, “you want to spar?”
“Just be ready to lose, teme.” Naruto grinned. He felt safe arguing with the other boy like this; it was familiar. Taking up a fighting stance, he waited for the pale boy’s first attack.
XxX
It was weird, the way they collapsed against the tree at the same time, cuts and whatnot in the same places. The grass was more burnt than it had been, but who cared? He had kicked the bastard’s ass that time. He should’ve been making that fact known to the Uchiha. So he did.
“I kicked your ass that time, teme.” He grinned. He swiped his hand across his lip to get the blood off, then looked at Sasuke from the corner of his eyes. The dark haired boy looked a lot better than Naruto felt. He tried to ignore the way his cheeks heated from that thought.
“You wish, dobe.” The Uchiha muttered. Naruto felt him shift against the tree, and quite suddenly their shoulders were touching. He swallowed hard and tried to ignore the fire that had started in his arm. “Oi, Naruto. I saw you talking to Sakura today. What was that about?”
Naruto froze, his eyes going wide as saucers. He tried to play off his horror by turning and shrugging his shoulders. Please say you didn’t hear anything. Please say you didn’t hear anything. “I was just asking her a question, teme. What’s it to you?”
“A question you couldn’t have asked me?” Please…just stop asking questions. I don’t want to tell you. Please, just let it go!
“You would’ve laughed at me!” Please…
“Try me, usuratonkachi.” Naruto huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He wanted to say, “Well, the question was kinda about you,” but it really wasn’t. He wasn’t ready to admit it to himself yet, let alone the person it was about. And anyway, it was a curious question.
“I wouldn’t have hit you like she did.” Sasuke shifted against him, their shoulders brushing a little harder than before. Naruto turned his head away; tried to think about something else but how closely Sasuke was sitting next to him. Dammit, move! Before I do something stupid! “What did you ask her to make her hit you?” The teen asked. Naruto felt his will power slipping away beneath Sasuke’s steady gaze.
“I asked her what falling felt like.” Good one, baka. Beat around the bush, why don’tcha?
“Falling?”
“Not that kind of falling, teme!” Naruto yelled, his cheeks coloring. He turned his head away and clenched his fists nervously at his side. Sasuke was going to laugh at him; he just knew it. I don’t… “I asked Sakura-chan if she knew what falling in love was supposed to feel like.” When the dark haired teen stayed quiet, Naruto mentally groaned. He probably thinks I’m talking about Sakura. I wouldn’t be surprised. Oh, god.
“Did she tell you anything before she hit you?” Sasuke asked. The blond heard his friend’s voice crack, and felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He clenched his hands in the grass underneath him. You like Sakura, don’t you, teme? I catch those looks you give her.
“She just called me an idiot.” Naruto laughed weakly. He sat back against the tree and stretched his legs out in front of him. He could feel Sasuke’s body heat, and tried hard not to flush. His teammate felt so warm, so…inviting. Dammit, Sasuke. Move! “I couldn’t think of anyone else to ask. I mean, I didn’t think you’d know about anything being in love.” Except, I guess you do.
“It’s distracting.”
“Huh?” Naruto flushed, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He didn’t want the person he didn’t want to be in love with actually tell him that he was.
“You can’t think about anything but them. You can’t concentrate on training or-or staying alive during some stupid mission. You’re always…worried…that they’re gonna die. But when you’re with them,” Sasuke seemed to hesitate as he looked away, “you don’t really mind.”
Oh, my god…Naruto opened his mouth to say something, a million fragmented thoughts floating through his brain and not connecting with his mouth. He’s-He’s in love…? Naruto swallowed around the lump in his throat and opened his mouth again. And I am too… “How did-are you…?” Congratulations, Sakura. You’re going to be so happy. And Sasuke, if you hurt her…
“I’m still a person with feelings and emotions.” Sasuke stood up, dusted off the back of his pants, and shoved his hands into his pockets. Naruto nearly missed the glare his teammate threw at him. “You shouldn’t just assume things, dobe.” Then Sasuke walked away, the red and white of the Uchiha fan mocking him. Naruto was torn between running after him and saying something stupid.
Oh, god, but he’s in love with Sakura. At least they’re going to be happy.
XxX
His old academy teacher looked across his kitchen table at him, a steaming mug of tea set out in front of him. He blew on it occasionally, trying to make it warmer. Iruka had been surprised to find Naruto waiting for him outside of the academy. He looked a little out of it and the Chuunin was worried. And now, Naruto was uncharacteristically quiet, and his eyes stayed glued to the surface of the table.
“Naruto.” The blond lifted his head, his eyes glassy and unfocused. He wasn’t even smiling. “You’re awfully quiet, Naruto. Is something wrong?”
“Can I ask you something, Iruka-sensei?” The kyuubi-vessel said quietly. He brought his mug to his lips and swallowed some of the sweet, brownish liquid inside. He brought the back of his hand to his mouth and wiped off any remnants of his drink.
“Of course.” The academy teacher said simply. He watched as the boy in front of him squirmed in his seat and seemed to make a decision in his head.
“I have this friend who’s in love with his best friend, you know? But my friend doesn’t want to be in love with his best friend, ‘cause he’s a bastard. And today, my friend found out that his best friend was in love with their mutual friend.” Naruto stopped talking to take a sip of his tea. “Anyway, my friend is really confused and…I-he-my friend doesn’t know what he should…do about…it.”
“What do you think he should do, Naruto?” Iruka asked, hiding his smile behind his hand. He knew exactly where this conversation was going.
“I think he should let them be together.” The blond said determinedly. He took another sip of his tea, looking like he was trying to drown his thoughts. Naruto licked his lips, took another sip, and then set the mug down carefully. “Ano, Iruka-sensei…what if-what if he doesn’t want to let them be?”
“Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe the mutual friend isn’t the one the best friend is in love with? What’s if it’s your friend?” Iruka leaned forward, smiling, his arms resting on the table. He watched with a smirk as Naruto realized what that would mean. “How close are the mutual friend and the best friend?”
“The best friend only talks to the mutual friend if my friend is around. Usually it’s just him and my friend.” Naruto shrugged, not noticing his slip of tongue. He watched with his head tilted to the side, as the academy teacher seemed to work the problem in his head.
“Naruto…is there another reason why your friend doesn’t want to be in love with his best friend?” Iruka asked casually. He had a sneaking suspicion as to what that reason might’ve been, and if that was the case, the conversation was about to get very uncomfortable. “Are they…both boys, Naruto?”
“Is it wrong to like another boy, sensei? Especially-especially that boy?”
“No. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m a very firm believer that love is love, regardless of gender. I never thought that that would stop you, though. You’re usually so straightforward.” Iruka smiled gently at him, then picked up his mug and drained the rest of his tea. Naruto was quiet for a moment, before he tipped his head up and stared the Chuunin steadily in the eye.
“Do you think the friend should tell the best friend?” The blond’s grip on the mug tightened as he waited for his sensei’s answer. “Or should he let them be?”
“I can’t tell you what to do, Naruto. I can tell why you’re afraid-Sasuke-kun doesn’t seem like the type of person to accept the fact that you like a boy, especially him-but I think you should take a chance. Would you be happy with yourself if you didn’t try?”
“…no, I wouldn’t.” Naruto tried to fight the blush that clawed its way into his cheeks, but he found that he didn’t have the will to do it. So he just took a drink of his tea. “Ano, sensei,” The blond started, “will you take me out to ramen later?”
“If you talk to Sasuke, then yes. Deal?”
“Deal!”
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, not me.
Summary: A little conversation between Naruto and Sakura, and Naruto and Iruka-sensei.
A/N: This be the second half. There may be a third, depending on where I want it to go. I’ll tell you one thing, though. ‘Tis be a SasuNaru…eventually. But! This is Naruto’s POV of what happened in the first half, and then some extra stuff you didn’t get to see. But when it gets to Iruka-sensei, Naruto’s thoughts are completely his own. So don’t get confused by the switch. So, enjoy. And review!!!
XxX
Part Two
XxX
Naruto blushed hotly as he slipped his hand behind his head, his smile covering up how nervous he felt inside. He just knew what Sakura was going think. She was going to hit him-probably because she thought he was talking about her-and then walk away. God, but he just needed advice!
‘What’d you want to ask me, Naruto?” The pink haired girl asked, tipping her head slightly to the side. Her hair was still short from when Ino had to cut it during the Chuunin exams, but it still fell over her eyes. Why hadn’t he fallen in love with her instead of…?
No, he told himself firmly. Just ask her the stupid question.
“Ano, Sakura-chan…” The blond trailed off, letting his arm fall back to his side. Why was this so hard? “A-Ano…do you know what falling in love is supposed to feel like?” Naruto lifted his head; his eyes silently pleading for his teammate to tell him that what he was feeling wasn’t love.
Please, just…I don’t want to feel this way about…him.
“Baka!” A solid fist connected with the side of his head, and for a moment he saw stars. Why was everything so difficult? “What kind of stupid question is that?” The pink haired girl crossed her arms over her chest and stared up at him defiantly. “You know how much I love Sasuke-kun!”
“That’s not-“
“-And you’re annoying!” Sakura huffed, then spun on her heel and walked away from him, just like Naruto thought she would. He stared after the girl for a moment before stuffing his hands into his pockets and walking in the opposite direction. He needed to find someone else to talk to about this.
XxX
After wandering around for an hour, Naruto’s feet took him to the clearing where he and Sasuke often sparred. There were memories here: burnt grass, splintered wood littering the ground, drops of already dried blood fading in the sunlight. Naruto remembered coming here whenever he wanted to blow off steam. It had happened a lot after the Uchiha had run off to join Sound.
Stupid, selfish bastard doesn’t know what he does to me. Naruto walked into the middle of the clearing, his eyes scanning the trees and such around him. And he never will.
“Dobe.” Naruto jumped and spun around, coming face to face with Sasuke. He tried to tell himself that he didn’t like the way the sun brought out the blue in his teammate’s hair. The Uchiha stayed quiet, his face unreadable and his eyes giving away nothing. “Oi,” the dark haired teen finally grunted, “you want to spar?”
“Just be ready to lose, teme.” Naruto grinned. He felt safe arguing with the other boy like this; it was familiar. Taking up a fighting stance, he waited for the pale boy’s first attack.
XxX
It was weird, the way they collapsed against the tree at the same time, cuts and whatnot in the same places. The grass was more burnt than it had been, but who cared? He had kicked the bastard’s ass that time. He should’ve been making that fact known to the Uchiha. So he did.
“I kicked your ass that time, teme.” He grinned. He swiped his hand across his lip to get the blood off, then looked at Sasuke from the corner of his eyes. The dark haired boy looked a lot better than Naruto felt. He tried to ignore the way his cheeks heated from that thought.
“You wish, dobe.” The Uchiha muttered. Naruto felt him shift against the tree, and quite suddenly their shoulders were touching. He swallowed hard and tried to ignore the fire that had started in his arm. “Oi, Naruto. I saw you talking to Sakura today. What was that about?”
Naruto froze, his eyes going wide as saucers. He tried to play off his horror by turning and shrugging his shoulders. Please say you didn’t hear anything. Please say you didn’t hear anything. “I was just asking her a question, teme. What’s it to you?”
“A question you couldn’t have asked me?” Please…just stop asking questions. I don’t want to tell you. Please, just let it go!
“You would’ve laughed at me!” Please…
“Try me, usuratonkachi.” Naruto huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He wanted to say, “Well, the question was kinda about you,” but it really wasn’t. He wasn’t ready to admit it to himself yet, let alone the person it was about. And anyway, it was a curious question.
“I wouldn’t have hit you like she did.” Sasuke shifted against him, their shoulders brushing a little harder than before. Naruto turned his head away; tried to think about something else but how closely Sasuke was sitting next to him. Dammit, move! Before I do something stupid! “What did you ask her to make her hit you?” The teen asked. Naruto felt his will power slipping away beneath Sasuke’s steady gaze.
“I asked her what falling felt like.” Good one, baka. Beat around the bush, why don’tcha?
“Falling?”
“Not that kind of falling, teme!” Naruto yelled, his cheeks coloring. He turned his head away and clenched his fists nervously at his side. Sasuke was going to laugh at him; he just knew it. I don’t… “I asked Sakura-chan if she knew what falling in love was supposed to feel like.” When the dark haired teen stayed quiet, Naruto mentally groaned. He probably thinks I’m talking about Sakura. I wouldn’t be surprised. Oh, god.
“Did she tell you anything before she hit you?” Sasuke asked. The blond heard his friend’s voice crack, and felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He clenched his hands in the grass underneath him. You like Sakura, don’t you, teme? I catch those looks you give her.
“She just called me an idiot.” Naruto laughed weakly. He sat back against the tree and stretched his legs out in front of him. He could feel Sasuke’s body heat, and tried hard not to flush. His teammate felt so warm, so…inviting. Dammit, Sasuke. Move! “I couldn’t think of anyone else to ask. I mean, I didn’t think you’d know about anything being in love.” Except, I guess you do.
“It’s distracting.”
“Huh?” Naruto flushed, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He didn’t want the person he didn’t want to be in love with actually tell him that he was.
“You can’t think about anything but them. You can’t concentrate on training or-or staying alive during some stupid mission. You’re always…worried…that they’re gonna die. But when you’re with them,” Sasuke seemed to hesitate as he looked away, “you don’t really mind.”
Oh, my god…Naruto opened his mouth to say something, a million fragmented thoughts floating through his brain and not connecting with his mouth. He’s-He’s in love…? Naruto swallowed around the lump in his throat and opened his mouth again. And I am too… “How did-are you…?” Congratulations, Sakura. You’re going to be so happy. And Sasuke, if you hurt her…
“I’m still a person with feelings and emotions.” Sasuke stood up, dusted off the back of his pants, and shoved his hands into his pockets. Naruto nearly missed the glare his teammate threw at him. “You shouldn’t just assume things, dobe.” Then Sasuke walked away, the red and white of the Uchiha fan mocking him. Naruto was torn between running after him and saying something stupid.
Oh, god, but he’s in love with Sakura. At least they’re going to be happy.
XxX
His old academy teacher looked across his kitchen table at him, a steaming mug of tea set out in front of him. He blew on it occasionally, trying to make it warmer. Iruka had been surprised to find Naruto waiting for him outside of the academy. He looked a little out of it and the Chuunin was worried. And now, Naruto was uncharacteristically quiet, and his eyes stayed glued to the surface of the table.
“Naruto.” The blond lifted his head, his eyes glassy and unfocused. He wasn’t even smiling. “You’re awfully quiet, Naruto. Is something wrong?”
“Can I ask you something, Iruka-sensei?” The kyuubi-vessel said quietly. He brought his mug to his lips and swallowed some of the sweet, brownish liquid inside. He brought the back of his hand to his mouth and wiped off any remnants of his drink.
“Of course.” The academy teacher said simply. He watched as the boy in front of him squirmed in his seat and seemed to make a decision in his head.
“I have this friend who’s in love with his best friend, you know? But my friend doesn’t want to be in love with his best friend, ‘cause he’s a bastard. And today, my friend found out that his best friend was in love with their mutual friend.” Naruto stopped talking to take a sip of his tea. “Anyway, my friend is really confused and…I-he-my friend doesn’t know what he should…do about…it.”
“What do you think he should do, Naruto?” Iruka asked, hiding his smile behind his hand. He knew exactly where this conversation was going.
“I think he should let them be together.” The blond said determinedly. He took another sip of his tea, looking like he was trying to drown his thoughts. Naruto licked his lips, took another sip, and then set the mug down carefully. “Ano, Iruka-sensei…what if-what if he doesn’t want to let them be?”
“Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe the mutual friend isn’t the one the best friend is in love with? What’s if it’s your friend?” Iruka leaned forward, smiling, his arms resting on the table. He watched with a smirk as Naruto realized what that would mean. “How close are the mutual friend and the best friend?”
“The best friend only talks to the mutual friend if my friend is around. Usually it’s just him and my friend.” Naruto shrugged, not noticing his slip of tongue. He watched with his head tilted to the side, as the academy teacher seemed to work the problem in his head.
“Naruto…is there another reason why your friend doesn’t want to be in love with his best friend?” Iruka asked casually. He had a sneaking suspicion as to what that reason might’ve been, and if that was the case, the conversation was about to get very uncomfortable. “Are they…both boys, Naruto?”
“Is it wrong to like another boy, sensei? Especially-especially that boy?”
“No. There’s nothing wrong with it. I’m a very firm believer that love is love, regardless of gender. I never thought that that would stop you, though. You’re usually so straightforward.” Iruka smiled gently at him, then picked up his mug and drained the rest of his tea. Naruto was quiet for a moment, before he tipped his head up and stared the Chuunin steadily in the eye.
“Do you think the friend should tell the best friend?” The blond’s grip on the mug tightened as he waited for his sensei’s answer. “Or should he let them be?”
“I can’t tell you what to do, Naruto. I can tell why you’re afraid-Sasuke-kun doesn’t seem like the type of person to accept the fact that you like a boy, especially him-but I think you should take a chance. Would you be happy with yourself if you didn’t try?”
“…no, I wouldn’t.” Naruto tried to fight the blush that clawed its way into his cheeks, but he found that he didn’t have the will to do it. So he just took a drink of his tea. “Ano, sensei,” The blond started, “will you take me out to ramen later?”
“If you talk to Sasuke, then yes. Deal?”
“Deal!”