Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Prices of Being a Ninja ❯ The Leaves Begin to Fall ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I started this back right after I read about Jiraiya being killed. I had gotten frustrated, but, being an author (to some extent) myself, I can understand the literary sense of why. It really is what keeps the reader coming back. At the time he was my favorite character, second being Kakashi. I will say this: I have always been a Naruto x Sakura fan. I have never imagined Hinata being with him. Please don't burn me for this. I am simply saying that so you know right now the pairing of the main two characters. Hinata is by no means left out though. I have been reading the series again and am caught up. It is what made me decide to post this now.

*spoiler warning so don't read if you don't wish to know*

I was writing about Sakura confessing to Naruto a long ways back and now that the author who owns the characters and made the original is headed that same direction I posted this. It was quite creepy really.

I do not own these characters.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense / Romance / Fantasy / Adventure / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.31.2009 | Updated On: 10.31.2009 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.8K | Visits: 313 | Status: Work In Progress

It was a beautiful day in Konoha... at least Sakura liked to think so. The turning of fall was a welcome event in her case. Perhaps a little unlike what others imagined it should be to her, following the meaning of her name. Cherry blossoms, and any blossoms for that matter, were serene in their own way but the vibrant scale of colors in Autumn were... invigorating, enlightening, and...

Boring details.

'Hardly.' she thought tersely back. Leave it to her crude conscience to berate her about something while experiencing pure serenity of bliss in the splotches of grand harvest season. She refused to move from the tickling grass, stifling an inappropriate girly giggle as a sun yellowed leaf swayed closer to her nose. It was the most relaxing, and, probably well noted by passerby, the most insane sense of fun to stare down the dead foliage as it threatened to loose in a breeze, catch in the wind, and slowly drift down in bright rainbows to their temporary rest on and about her.

Muted laughter from the village children crunching in the leaves nearby told her that the school had let out and she was finally not the only to enjoy the picture. However much they intended to trash her moment in crunching the unearthly beauteous foliage to crisp shards she imagined herself away. It startled her to look at that falling yellow leaf again, not two feet closer to the ground, and imagine a face with it. Not too similar to the last time she had seen that face... no, he'd grown since then and was smiling, impishly.

The breeze picked up and pushed the leaf from its course, almost from sight. What ironic symbolism was this? Lately she had begun to ponder the simple and harsher cruelties of ninja life on her friends and, even more recently, on herself. The grey intermittent with the stale blue sky was stark contrast to the leaf... much like her friend's life amongst the village. The laughter picked up volume but it was a memory she witnessed now.

"Sakura-chan, why do you study the leaves so? You frown too much, it will make your face wrinkle and age faster."

"Naruto!" She rarely used the polite suffix where he rarely deserved them. She continued staring above, reveling in the crisp grass pricking her pinking skin. He was always mindlessly towing along, begging for attention in the most annoying ways.

"Go away! I'm looking at the leaves turn in the wind. The smell of fall on the way, isn't it just lovely?" She glanced sideways, noting that he had not, in fact, budged an inch from her side and was staring curiously at her. "What?!"

His face burst into a grin that made her head hurt with his sincerity. She found herself bereft of ideas when she wondered where he came by that honest to God look of happiness just because she looked his way. It was sickening. "You'll have leaves in your hair Sakura-chan, but if you like them so much... what's your favorite color?"

"Mmmmm..." she had to ponder that a while. Firstly she should be pondering why she was considering a response. Well, the deep russet brown, tinged with red was alas catching her eyes, but then the maple red seemed much more fitting. Too much like love, she swallowed. "Orange."

"Orange?" His nose scrunched quizzically. "Like, what color orange?"

Damned nuisance. She sighed, pondering a way to make him leave. Probably best to answer and be over with it, however a small lie. "Kind of like your jacket I guess." She studiously avoided the beam of gayness radiating from his face. However, such a feat was obviously a failure as it radiated around her. She had no doubt made his day, his week even. Her stomach panged with guilt. Sakura didn't typically lie. But, then again, Naruto was not known as the typical insightful little teenager.

"See one you like?" Perhaps if she stared harder at the one big yellow leaf at the uppermost bough of the tree she would no longer see the same color yellow unfocused blob to her right she knew to be his hair.

"Mm" Keep him guessing?

"Orange..." He flinched as she turned, genuinely looking accosted at the thought of upsetting her daydreams. She nearly forgot her mouth agape, snapping it shut as he turned. It appeared he was thinking heavily, looking at a calculus problem ingeniously with hand to chin rather than spouting about the simple color of his jacket.

'Honestly, Naruto. '

There was crunching as he made his way through what the trees had already dispensed, most of the tree's bright cargo already lost in this particular case of trunk. She rolled her eyes as she heard what seemed to be someone grasping a limb, quite haphazardly at that, and she knew instantly the oaf was doing something spectacular. Just what, she decided she did not care to know and stared harder at the yellow leaf.

It wasn't until she heard the distinct rip and the brittle cracking with an accompanying moan of said oaf when she glanced half disinterestedly to the source of the sound. Naruto made a grand entrance, or rather exit, from the limb she had been so intently admiring before. She frowned slightly at the strange upset of her heart accompanying her rush to his side, albeit she couldn't place just how she got there.

He held up an orange leaf, perfectly matched to his tunic with a toad grin. He had scratched his hands on the way up but remained unnoticed as he had gained victory. She could not keep from smiling despite herself.

"Sakura-chan?"

"OMIGAWD- Naruto!" Her eyes opened to cerulean blue, two inches from her nose. She felt his breath and screamed. "I bet you find that ludicrous entrance real smart, baka!" She smacked him heartily across the face. He jolted back, allowing her spine-jarring fist some space. Instantly she recoiled inwardly. She had just stepped over her personal drawn boundary not to strike him intentionally... much less so vehemently.

"Owww, you pack a good one. Remind me not to bother you again, ne?" He sat next to her, not too dissimilar to her previous daydream. It was eerie. His light long supple fingers gingerly slid his jaw back and forth, hissing as it obviously was contempt to go back to the norm. Perhaps it was a good thing...

Without thinking she slapped his careless hand aside. "Let me look. Naruto-kun, I'm sorry but you startled me is all."

"You're furrowing your eyebrows again Cherry-sama." He began to smile until she smacked his arm. She felt the heat in her face.

"No doubt I'll turn prematurely gray." He instantly froze and stared at her headband... or her hair, she couldn't tell which. "What?" His stare only intensified, unnerving her with a flip of her stomach. His odd symmetrical dimples nearly disappeared with the slackness of his jaw as she nursed it.

"I think I see one... hmm." The gentle hold she had on his face lessened a little. He began tilting his appendage for a better look at whatever it was fascinating him. It reminded her too much of the teasing she had for Billboard Brow, a name she would never live down even though people would never dare think it... well, voice it anyways.

"Hmm?" She was beginning to look at him with panic. "What, a louse or a...?"

"Nope, never mind... must be a gray fleck of dust. Gray in your perfect hair- what was I thinking?" His eyes snapped back to hers as she sighed and he grinned, apparently having no difficulty moving his lower face muscles now. She felt a nerve tick in her own. Perhaps she should wipe that smile back off.

She kicked herself again. Trust her not to put two and two together until he had her in a trap so obvious. "Hm... I realigned your jaw but perhaps I should snap it back a time or two for a reminder not to disturb me."

For all but a second it seemed he became a bit somber but who was she kidding? His oceanic orbs were too close and seemed to pierce through her intimate thoughts. The grin was in place but his eyes didn't seem to hold the same vibrancy. He was thinking again. It made her worry.

"Stop worrying your lip." She stilled for a moment, shocked at the sensation as he touched her lower lip, trying to emphasize his point. She felt heady, a mist seemed to be enveloping them.

"Sakura, all joking aside..." Here goes, the real reason for this facade was coming at last. She had known for a while to be honest. Suspected his decision to be coming sooner than later, and it did not take an Anbu mind to figure out precisely what he had been mulling- drudging over more like for the past weeks.

Here he was amidst all the joy of the leaf village... joy of his accomplishment to save their lives from the most recent attack by Pein. Yet, ironically, she saw him looking at everyone's happiness and turning inward on himself. It was not complete. She knew, painfully aware in fact, that she was partly to blame for this piece.

"I'm going to leave to bring Sasuke back." He pulled back at her hiss. His hair line swooped forward as he frowned worriedly at her face, trying to depict her hidden emotion. She didn't miss his flinch. He saw her rawness and took it as his own, but deeper. She stared, not sure if begging like she originally thought would sway his intention. But, this was Naruto-kun, the ninja who would never be swayed. It was his ninja way as he had so readily repeated.

"What about Sai-kun?" Naruto turned a shade of pink, puce was more the term she pictured however. He misunderstood her inquiry and had withdrawn a little, leaning back from her to sit rigidly in place. He would never raise his voice against her but his look said it all.

"I mean, Naruto- all joking aside... We have a willing team Seven member and... Sasuke..." It was a touchy subject. His injured face nearly four years ago flashed in the forefront of her mind. His promise from a face wrapped beyond recognition, that damned rope of words, began tugging at her heart and made her ache for him.

The grass, color notably similar to his chuunin jacket, suddenly became a point of interest. There were no bugs now or, at least hopefully, hidden well away from view somewhere as the weather had begun its changing. There was a particularly tall blade which drew her attention. The silence was almost overwhelming, bearing down on her happy thoughts. She suddenly felt her autumn charade disappearing. It felt more like the onset of winter to picture him leaving. He had been her sun, her confidant, and... with a small smirk she realized it had been much much more.

"I fail to see humor in a replacement- did you ever intend it permanent?" His voice did not ice over. It was simply a hushed whisper. She froze just as if it had been.

"No. Naruto-kun," She looked up searchingly for the answers she already knew to be there. She hoped perhaps he might recognize the answer he had sought after for so long. His eyes were darker, deep with a hurt. "I never intended Sauske-kun to leave."

It was his turn to hiss. "I wasn't implying that."

"No, but you presume I don't miss him still." She was watching his face to find, in horror, what she was saying was coming out all wrong. He was never perceptive. She could probably tell him he looked blue and ask if she was referring to the weather. "I don't know how to say this."

What, twit? That you love him and you didn't think a lick about him until you realized you'd lose him too?

'Shut it.' She thought perhaps words would fail her and reached to brush a strand of his longer than usual hair... until he pulled back, away from her touch. He had never done that before. Without thinking she clasped her same hand to her heart. It would not have been more effective if he had branded her.

"Naruto-kun?" When his head swiveled back to look at her the smile crushed her. It was not heartfelt, a grimace of one carrying the world with a plaster mask... her stomach reeled and she had to stop the bile from rising in her throat. It was the same smile Sai had when the broken team Seven had found him.

"What have I done?" In defeat she slouched her shoulders and leaned flexibly across her crisscrossed legs. Instantly the blind oaf was crouching over her, patting her on her spine awkwardly, no doubt wondering what the hell he said to get her in this sorry state.

His voice came in a whisper all but an inch from her ear. "Sakura-chan?" Ever polite, ever considerate, ever non-insightful, ever... pure innocent Naruto was wondering how to make her feel better. She realized the reverse role of what should have been. Even when he was the one down with life-threatening injuries he was the one to comfort her. Where had she run with all her troubles?

Where was the one she lusted when she wanted a friend to talk to? Where was the one she lusted when he had left her with a broken heart? Where was the one she lusted when this fool made her smile, made her laugh, and melted the ice around her broken pump? She choked in a laughing sob as said pump beat painfully, twisting and wrenching in her chest. And he was right here, perhaps in more pain than her, vowing to the one he loved to bring back his rival for her affections... the one she pined for so flippantly obvious and irately in his very own ear.

"You wonder what you said." She laughed bitterly, feeling a little bit of crushed leaves stick to her tear trails. Her blood rushed back down from her head, probably hair a mess too. She found herself slightly unnerved when she realized he hadn't moved from his crouch, his face an easy clearing distance if she were but to kiss him. It was then she noticed his jaw. It had lengthened, the childish roundness gone to reveal a more pronounced cheek line. No doubt he wasn't done growing yet. His shoulders filled out, he stretched to 6 feet easy and oddly she seemed drawn to his lips. How stupid.

She jumped when black rose from the corner of her vision and he wiped away the offending grime. She wished he would keep rubbing and possibly remove the stain from her. If she could trade every foul word, every slap, every yell... she would trade it in a heartbeat. No... looking to his eyes, trained ever on her face, she realized she owed him more than that. Her skin burned where he touched her as if fresh iron from the fire.

"It wasn't anything you said." His brows lifted as if he waited for her to state his heinous crime. He always upset her, what should change her reactions and recoils from him now? He was watching her eyes, her rivulets that ripped his living essence from him. Of course it was not his fault. He lowered his glance briefly but flicked back up to meet her piercing jade ovals. She was a sorry sight, but forbid him laugh at a time like this. She would not take kindly to that.

He cringed and perhaps she took it wrong. Best to keep his eyes closed and breathe slowly, in and out, and count backwards from ten to one. Supposedly that worked for most people but with a snicker from the kyuubi, he was quite aware that he was not able to fit in with normal people. Sakura was a normal person. This was his crime. It hurt, nonetheless to think about it. Somewhere she changed slightly in her affections towards him. She put herself through great pains to make sure he did not see the grief she held for the lost member of their team.

“Naruto-kun, you don't have to keep going after him.”

“But I promised." She watched as his eyes flickered open, the irises contracting fiercely in the light. Or was it simply too painful?

“I know you gave your word but he holds no desire to return to us.” His cerulean eyes tore her heart out with their hurt. “We just have to accept it. I held on so long because of my feelings for him.” Watching him closely, it was hardly difficult to see the blush wash over his face. At the same time, he gave the smallest flinch, so slight that if she blinked she would have missed it, revealing his distaste of the matter at hand. “You don't have to do it for me anymore, Naruto. I'm stronger now.”

“I'm not doing it because I think you're weak, Sakura! Never that-I promised-“

“I know, and you misunderstood me.” She pressed closer in the sway of the breeze. It could be taken as accident or perhaps... maybe he still held for her what she had always cherished. He wore his strength for her on his sleeves but long since it had faded to be the haunted look of one living through hell. He pushed farther back.

“I'm no longer weak, crying, tormented Sakura who cannot bear to go on because someone refused my advances.” She might have laughed at his modest coloration but this was something pressing too much, akin to a smothering smoke in her lungs. Her insides quailed but her conscience berated her to continue. “I no longer feel dependent on Sasuke-kun.”

An upsurge of refuted hope, long submerged below his smile of encouraging strength, unrequited love and compassion for those in need. `I can't keep doing this.' Naruto swallowed heavily, in a desire to return that hope where it belonged. Realizing that he had left their conversation, treading down the long tunnels of Orichimaru's hideout after phantoms of a severed bond, he came back to piercing jade ovals inches from his face.

“Well, Naruto?”

“Sakura-chan?- I…”

“You didn't pay attention- Naruto!” She paused in seeing him flinch. Arm rose to deflect a fist, his hair wildly draped over his head band. “I'm sorry, Naruto.” She had really screwed up.

He lifted his head a little, just enough for oceanic eyes to peer cautiously over the olive chuunin sleeve. The depths briefly covered by shuttered lids. “Why, Sakura-chan?” A glistening drop fell from her left eye. First an apology and then she acts as though he punched Sasuke in the face! Confusing…

“I'm sorry I ever made you promise. I'm sorry for- for treating you impolitely, seeing you as a Jinchuuryki instead of what-who you are.” Seeing his sea blue eyes questioningly staring made her wish to hide but the inner Sakura was demanding her to continue. “I have not treated you the way you deserve, and, working with you on my team,” He noted her omission of Sasuke and felt himself staring farther up the canyon of confusion at a pink blob of Sakura hair.

“I have learned to not only work with you but accept you for who you are. You are kind, strong- stronger than anyone in spirit, tenacious and encouraging…”

“Sakura-chan,“

“Let me finish. I was self absorbed for too long.” Pink ribbons trickled over her temples as she tilted her head down in shame. “I saw you on that hospital bed after you…” Naruto's tenderness on his fight with his former friend choked her beyond words.

“You don't have to continue, Sak-“

“I do!” Heat rose as she suddenly found herself looking into the sea. “You don't understand Naruto… I wanted to apologize before I continue- and to ask you a favor.” Seeing his angular mouth open to respond she cut him off. “I don't deserve to ask you a thing. You have done so much for me already.”

“You have done nothing for me to forgive,“ Her fists rushed downward, making contact with his folded knees. She quickly bowed forward, taking the most humiliating step she ever had in her life to repair what she had ruined.

“Yes or no, accept my apology!” Her outburst threw him backwards in surprise.

“Yes, Sakura… but why-” Somehow he found her lips plastered to his, without a reason or vision of the steps taken to get there. Next thing he knew, he was somehow trying to pull away.

`What have I done?!' Thoughts of withdrawing herself, she felt instant coals against her face. Frozen to the ground she shivered as his course hands explored her hair, catching a few strands along the callused fingertips. She ignored the slight stings.

`Sakura…' All air rushed out as if she had punched him. 'Reassert yourself, Naruto!' He stared into Sakura's hurt eyes, a kunai in his heart for doing so. “I can't Sakura. Don't pretend-“

“Pretend… no! Naruto- I am not pretend…ing.” He had left, simply stood up and walked away, gone around the fence line by the time she had reached the ending word. She stared after his green and black tunic, watched his sun bleached hair disappear behind the warped wooden planks.

Sorry for the bit of cliffhanger… this chapter turned out too long- waaaayyyy longer than most of the others… I will edit the next few to be a bit more to the mould of this one.