finished log: naruto+sakura

[betterthanthen.livejournal.com]

When; 17th of April, late night;
Rating; PG-13
Characters; betterthanthen (Haruno Sakura) and senninlegacy (Uzumaki Naruto)
Summary; Following their confrontation, at night, they talk. Sakura says what Naruto doesn't want to hear, and viceversa. Sort of. Oh but it's all cute.
Log;
SAKURA;
[It's well past dinner when Sakura gets home, and technically everyone should be asleep. Or well...in theory. She walks into her apartment--the little comune she has set up, aparently--and heads straight for her room. She's not hungry. Or in the mood to talk to Ino. Just a shower, and sleep. And when the door closes behind her, she finally breathes again.]
NARUTO;
[And he knows exactly who it is since everybody else was either asleep or out. He hops up off the bed he had been sharing the past few nights and recently been musing in the past few hours --even he did some deep thinking once in awhile. Honestly, he doesn't expect anything except a few punches and being thrown out to sleep on the couch once more, or even thrown out of the apartment itself. So, with more than a bit of strained and apologetic tone, he calls out:] Sakura-chan...?
SAKURA;
[Looks up, masking her surprise--she's a ninja, there should be no surprise, dammit--then sighs] Naruto...you're here... [Drops her bag on a chair, and takes off her boots.]
NARUTO;
[Surprised at that statement --where else would he be? He takes a few steps in her direction, stopping short and wondering when the fists would be flying or why her words were a bit quieter than usual.] Yeah...I'm here. [Watches for a few seconds.] Umm...need any help?
SAKURA;
[Bitter] No, this is something I have to do alone.
NARUTO;
[Decides he deserves that] ...I'm sorry.
SAKURA;
Good.
NARUTO;
For all of it, I mean. [Takes another step in her direction, doing everything he can from grabbing her and holding on tight no matter the amount of pain she would give him]
SAKURA;
Good.
NARUTO;
[The short responses are getting to him --not because they aren't their usual length, but because they are different. He's used to physical punishment and shouting; this is different.] Sakura-chan...don't be like that.
SAKURA;
[Snaps up straight and pokes his chest viciously with a finger] There, now you know how it felt for me today! Hearing those answers from you, with that tone of voice...if I wanted that, I'd have kept on waiting for Sasuke.
NARUTO;
[That stings horribly. All of it. First because of the mention of his name, second because she was right and it was Naruto's fault, and thirdly and most importantly, the fact that the way she had worded it made it sound like she had finally let go of Sasuke in that way and was looking to Naruto for that type of companionship now --and the blonde had let her down.] I-I know...I'm so sorry. [He reaches for the hand at his chest and grabs ahold gently.] I didn't think. All I wanted was to keep you safe and...
SAKURA;
And push me away. [Grips his hand and pulls him closer, angry and hurt] Is it always so easy to push me away? Always, always, no matter what I do, or how strong I become, you leave.
NARUTO;
[Remains locked with her hand but wraps the other one around her, pulling her even closer and resting his chin on the top of her head, mostly to hide the water in his eyes.] I can't describe it, Sakura-chan. It's like...I want to be closer to you than anyone else, but then I'm afraid. It's the same with pervy-sensei. I was closer to him than anyone else, and then he was gone. I can't tell you how bad that feels, even now with the most important person in my life right here with me.
SAKURA;
[She refuses to cry. She refuses to--she's a damn ninja. Shinobi rule says no tears. And crap like that. Instead, she grabs onto his shirt with her free hand.] I know how bad it feels... I've been here for two years, you know? I've seen you come and go about five or six times, and whenever we get close, you disappeared on me again. I know how it is to be scared, but...
NARUTO;
[That hurts too, the fact that he had failed her in this place before and didn't even remember it. He didn't know whether to hate the place for taking him away or hate himself for disappearing and not being to find a way back to her or even remember it. Mumbling:] It sucks... [He pulls her even closer, tightening his hold to let her know he's not going anywhere this time, and even if he did, he'd come back.] I don't want to leave you, not now, not ever.
SAKURA;
[Grows silent for a long time, maybe minutes, in which she doesn't move in his arms, just stands there and thinks. Then she moves, and it's to wrap her arms around him, and mumble into his neck--damn him for being taller even if she's the older one now] Then don't. [Holds him closer] Don't...not even when you leave off to fight alone.
NARUTO;
[One hand slides up her back and rests in the pink strands of hair he had grown so used to lately.] I won't. I want you with me all the time, even in the rough and dangerous times. Back then it made me stronger to want to protect you. True strength comes from having someone to protect, yeah? But I don't think like that anymore, because I know you're an amazing person and you can take care of yourself. So, maybe... maybe true strength comes in having someone who will fight with you no matter what?
SAKURA;
[Nods, smiling slightly for the first time that evening.] You're learning well.
NARUTO;
[Kisses her forehead once and grins into the skin.] I'm a quick learner. [Kisses once more before getting quieter again.] I've been thinking a lot about all sorts of stuff lately... [Pain and his attack and the philosophy he had relayed to the blonde being the main thought, but there was more. He'd been thinking about him and Sakura.] And I kinda just figured that out...
SAKURA;
[All that ttention to her forehead's making her feel warm and strange, but she lets him, because it's not to tease. It's to give comfort.] I'm glad.
NARUTO;
[He reaches up with one hand and lifts her chin so blue eyes can lock with emerald green --eyes he had enjoyed looking at for years. Leaning forward a bit, his forehead rests against hers.] So let's just make sure to watch each other's back, yeah?
SAKURA;
Mmm...[Presses her forehead against his, locking eyes with blue, constant blue.] Yeah. Teamwork.
NARUTO;
[Grins and gives her a soft, quick kiss. His head swims with things he wants to say to her, and the kiss is mostly to help him think quickly so he can vocalize them.]
SAKURA;
[Stands on her toes and slants her mouth against his for a minute, keeping it just as that, a press of lips against lips. He tastes good.]
NARUTO;
[Just like she tastes amazing. Pulls away for a second, finally ready for what he has to do.] Sakura-chan... I have to tell you something.
SAKURA; [Blinks, opening her eyes to look at him] Hmm?
NARUTO;
[Takes a deep breath and keeps his eyes trained on hers] You don't have to say anything, I kinda don't expect you to anyways, but I feel like I'm gonna blow up if I don't say it. Back then it was just me chasing after you, and then it started getting to be more because we spent more time together and we started to be good friends... [Swallows hard, eyes darting away for a moment as he takes another few seconds to finish his inner monologue]
SAKURA;
[Panics, because if he says it, and she doesn't...she can't reciprocate, not yet, not with utter certainty...and he deserves that. He deserves more than what she's too much of a coward to admit, so she cuts him off with a deeper kiss.]
NARUTO;
[Confuses him, but he doesn't stop the kiss, not yet. He puts all the feeling that a kiss like that deserves before breaking away and leaning back, putting several inches between their bodies but keeping his arms around her waist.] No, I have to say it, Sakura-chan. I don't need you to say it back --you've already done so much for me. Just let me say it. [Because he has to say it. That's who Naruto is. Nothing held him back from speaking his mind. He was all passion and emotion and it showed in every single word he spoke or action he made] I love you.
SAKURA;
[And he said it. Her heart stops beating, and she wants to cry.] I know... [Closes the distance between them again, hugging him tight] I love you too, but...not like you love me, not yet...I don't think... I'm sorry. I'm still going to be late again.
NARUTO;
[He expects it to hurt a little, and it does for a bit, but she adds 'yet' and he's okay again. It meant she still wanted to be with him, and that's all he needed. Companionship. Love was always fleeting in his tragic life, so he didn't need it just yet.] It's okay. I just wanted you to know. [Buries his face in her hair] I'm just early again.
SAKURA;
[Holds still for a moment, them murmurs] I feel like all I've given you so far are disappointments and pain.
NARUTO;
[Jerks softly and tightens his grip] How can you say that when you've given me so much happiness? And everything else that people kept from me in my life, you've given that to me.
SAKURA;
[shakes her head] No, I didn't. When we were young, the only one I cared about was Sasuke. I was selfish, and stupid, and I even let you make that promise to me without automatically telling you that we should do it together. And now I've been here for this long, and I still haven't convinced him to open up to us again. As long as Sasuke's still not part of the team, I know there's something you're missing. I should've been able to fix that...
NARUTO;
I don't think it's that easy to fix. [Sighs before kissing her temple] Nothing is, and I'm learning that too. You can't help how you felt about someone back then. [Moves his face and kisses her other temple before continuing] And besides, we're going to do it together now, aren't we? It'll take both of us to get through to him, but I know we can do it, because when I'm with you, you make it seem like anything is possible.
SAKURA;
You say the silliest things... [Smiles softly at him, before brushing her mouth against his again.]
NARUTO;
[Whines playfully before responding with a trademark passionate Naruto kiss] I'm your fool.
SAKURA;
My fool. [Mumbled against his lips, before she deepens it, burying her hands in his hair.] My fool.
NARUTO;
[And there she is again, at his weakness --the thick, blonde hair that he loves for her to play with. It sends a shudder through his body, but not as much as her claiming of him does. And it all just serves to make the kiss that much better on his part, opening and closing his lips and tugging at hers.] Mmm... yours.
SAKURA;
[Pulls him backwards with under until she's conveniently leaning against a wall. Much better for balance, especially because his kisses make her dizzy.] Mine... [Sucks his bottom lip between her teeth before releasing it and running her tongue over it.]
NARUTO;
[Plants his hands against the wall so they aren't crushed between it and her smaller figure; the lack of the hug makes him press his body to hers to make up for the loss of closeness. The feel of her tongue on his lip just entices his own to dart out of his mouth to try and catch hers before he repeats once more, going along with their game of back and forth:] Yours...
SAKURA;
[You know what, she doesn't even care about what anyone might hear, because right now, it's only her and him. She sucks in a sharp breath, her fingers tightening their grip on his hair as she arches and presses back against him.] Naruto... [Brushes her lips against his, not kissing, just brushing.]
NARUTO;
[The hair again, god, it's always good --and the whispering of his name is even better. As her lips brush against his, he takes a quick moment to nip at her before tilting his head and burying his face in her neck, nuzzling it gently with the tip of his nose before planting a tentative kiss on the sensitive skin.]
SAKURA;
[Hums softly, sighing with something close to happiness, before turning her head to kiss his neck.] I need to take a shower...and sleep...
NARUTO;[Grins into the skin before giving one more kiss and letting out his teasing joke.] Don't suppose I can join?
SAKURA;
[Punches his shoulder lightly, giving him a scathing look that is at the same time affectionate, before she steps around him and heads to grab a towel and clean pyjamas.] Only for the sleeping.
NARUTO;[Grins once more and shuffles to the bed, dropping into his favorite spot and burying his face in her pillow and inhaling her scent] I'll be here... [Always.]
SAKURA;[She smiles at him from the door.] I'll hurry up.
NARUTO;[Smiles back and nods, feeling more and more happy every day with her.]
SAKURA;
[So. Returns a few minutes later, all freshly showered and clean and her hair damp. She slips quietly into the room, and just as quietly in bed next to him] Still awake?
NARUTO;
[Nods in the darkness before scooting closer to her.] You think I'd fall asleep without you here next to me?
SAKURA;
[Laughs softly, snuggling comfortably inside his arms.] That's not very ninja-ish...
NARUTO;
[Nods more enthusiastically before nudging her playfully with one foot.] Maybe not. Guess we'll just have to share a sleeping bag on our next mission?
SAKURA;
[Shifts around until her nose is somewhere near his neck, her arms around his waist, and one leg thrown over his. Then mumbles:] Pervert...
NARUTO;
[Laughs quietly and tangles their legs even more.] I'll convert you...
SAKURA;
Will you? [Nuzzles his jawline with her nose, closing her eyes with exhaustion.]
NARUTO;
One day, mmhmm. [Savors the affection and physical contact] ...call in sick tomorrow. Spend the whole day with me.
SAKURA;
[Holds her breath for a second, then hugs him. Safe. Warm.] Okay, then. What are we doing tomorrow?
NARUTO;
[Shrugs into their embrace before grinning in the darkness once more.] Sleep in late with me, make lunch, go on a picnic, take a walk, hold hands, visit some friends, let me buy you something, come home, make dinner, cuddle, fall asleep.
SAKURA;
That sounds good...[Kisses his cheek.] You can't buy me ramen, it doesn't work.
NARUTO;
[Rests his cheek against her cheek and rubs softly.] I was thinking something else. You know, something a guy gets his girlfriend. Flowers, a dress, something orange...
SAKURA;
[Snorts] Something orange. Okay...it's a date, then...
NARUTO;
[Nods and sighs happily] Yup, a date. A day long date. Get some rest, you've had a rough day... [Because of him.]
SAKURA;
Mmm...you're forgiven. [Kisses his cheek again, then settles in.] Goodnight.
NARUTO;
Thanks... [Kisses her forehead and settles in as well.] Goodnight. [I love you.]