Talking: “...”

Thinking: ‘...’

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Open Your Eyes

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Chapter 4: Teacher!

The next day wasn’t a typical summer day; it was raining. But that didn’t take Sakura’s mood down. Almost every half hour, she let out a happy sigh. Even when she was training to become a medical ninja.

This did not go unnoticed by Tsunade; the fifth Hokage of Konoha. Tsunade wanted to know what was going on with Sakura. And when the Hokage wants to know something, she will get the answer.

When Sakura let out another happy sigh, Tsunade decided to ask; “Sakura, what’s wrong? You’re not concentrating on that fish before you at all.”

It’s true; Sakura was given, again, the assignment to revive the fish with her medical ninjutsu. The sudden talking of Tsunade startled Sakura a little. “Ah, it’s nothing, Hokage-sama. I’m sorry...” Sakura said, as she stretched her arms out above the fish, while a green glow came out of her hands.

Tsunade sighed, and walked over to Sakura. Sakura looked up as Tsunade stood besides her, always amazed of how beautiful she looked; her long, blonde hair was in two ponytails and a little crystal-like object on her forehead. She wore a long, green jacket and under a grey vest with black pants.

“Sakura, you know you can’t lie. I can see clearly that something happened. Something good, as I can judge from your sighs.” Tsunade said, as she looked at Sakura with a small smile on her face.

‘I... sighed out loud?’ Sakura thought, blushing. ‘That obvious, huh?’

“If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. But don’t let it affect your training.”

“Ah, n-no, Hogake-sama! I... I want to talk about it... Because... I think you might be able to help...” Sakura said, carefully choosing her words.

“Ah, is it about love?” Tsunade said, immediately hitting the right spot.

Sakura went wide-eyed. “How do you know that?!”

Tsunade grinned, “Ah, but I know everything about love!” Tsunade laughed, a rather maniacally laugh.

‘Is she serious?’ Sakura thought, as she looked at Tsunade.

“Well, who is it?” Tsunade asked right after she was done laughing. “Do I know him?”

Sakura blushed again, “Yeah...”

“Who is it, tell me already!” Tsunade suddenly burst out.

“Naruto...” Sakura whispered, soft, but hard enough for Tsunade.

She was clearly shocked. “That punk?!” Sakura hid her eyes, blushing furiously.

Tsunade continued; “And you are in love with him?”

“I don’t know... I mean, I never saw him that way, I never thought about it that way. It was always... Sasuke.” Sakura explained.

Tsunade sighed, and motioned to Sakura to sit down on the ground. Sakura did as she was told, as she sat down.

“Are you still thinking about him, Sasuke that is?” Tsunade asked.

“I waited for him again, two days ago...” Sakura said, holding her knees.

“Sakura-“

“I know... I just can’t help it.”

“Do you still love him?” Tsunade asked, actually startling Sakura.

“I don’t know anymore...” Sakura said, but immediately continuing. “When I waited for Sasuke, Naruto came. He said he was worried about me. He knew I was waiting for Sasuke, he just never said it. He cared for me, and I never noticed until that night, that he always cared for me. I was so stupid that I didn’t looked beyond Sasuke.”

“That’s what you learn in due time. And sometimes you have to learn it the hard way.”

“But that isn’t helping me.” Sakura said, actually wanting to hear some advice.

“I know it’s not, but what do you feel yourself?” Tsunade asked.

“Confused.” Sakura answered bluntly.

Tsunade laughed; she knew she would get such a obvious answer. “Well, what can you do?”

“You tell me, I don’t have a clue. Naruto is nice. He gives me a nice, warm and safe feeling. And I just feel, that I want to hang out with him some more.”

“Doing so to sort out your feelings?” Tsunade asked.

Sakura nodded. Suddenly, Tsunade showed her a piece of paper.

Sakura took it, and read it out loud; “’The summer festival is here! Don’t miss it, there’s going to be fireworks at the end of the festival. Lot’s of fun games and lot’s of food.’” Sakura was quiet for a while, looking at the poster.

She looked up at Tsunade; “You’re saying I should go to the festival with Naruto?”

Tsunade nodded, “Yeah, why not? It’s tomorrow night. To sort out your feelings, right?” Tsunade smiled with her eyes closed.

Sakura smiled back, “Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do!”

Sakura stood up, and headed for the door. She suddenly stopped, and turned around to face Tsunade. “Is it ok that I leave now, Hogake-sama? I really want to invite Naruto right now.”

Tsunade smiled; “Of course. But when you come to training again, I do not want you out of it again, alright?”

“Yes!” Sakura said happily, as she walked out the door.

Tsunade sighed, “Aaah, young love is the best. Do your best, my precious student.”

-Outside-

‘Darn, I should’ve brought an umbrella with me from inside...’ Sakura thought, as she ran in the rain, on to Naruto’s house. But she didn’t care about the rain, though. She found it rather relaxing.

‘There it is!’ Sakura arrived at Naruto’s house. But she didn’t even knew if he was home. She knocked on his door. Nothing. She called his name. Nothing. She jumped on the roof so that she could see his room. No one was inside.

‘He’s not home?!’ Sakura thought as she jumped down again. ‘Great, now I’m soaked.’ Just as when she was about to go home, the felt that the rain had stopped.

“Huh?” She asked out loud, as she could see it was still raining in front of her.

“It seems that you keep forgetting things these days, Sakura-chan.” A sweet, caring voice said.

Sakura looked behind her as she saw Naruto standing there holding an umbrella above her head.

Somehow, she was relieved to see his smiling face, but she kept her cool; “Where were you, baka?! I’ve looked for you everywhere!”

Naruto winced, “I’m sorry, Sakura-chan! But there was a sale on ramen, I just had to get it!” He said, showing the plastic bag to Sakura; indeed, it was full of instant ramen cups.

Sakura giggled; she should’ve known. Naruto and his stomach.

“So, what are you doing here, Sakura-chan? Do you need something?”

“Ah, well, I want to ask you something...” Sakura began, but was cut off by Naruto.

“Ah, Sakura-chan. Tell it to me inside. You are soaked! Come, I have towels in my house.” Naruto said, as he opened his door.

Sakura, though, looked shocked. ‘Inside his house...? I’ve... never been in his house. Get a grip, Sakura girl! He’s just being polite.’ She shook her head, as she followed Naruto inside.

“Here you go!” Naruto said grinning, while handing Sakura a towel.

“Thanks,” Sakura said, while drying herself. Without herself noticing, she sat on his bed.

“So, Sakura-chan, what’s on your mind?” Naruto asked, as he put away the instant ramen cups.

“Ah, right. Look at this Naruto!” Sakura said, as she grabbed the poster from her pocket. But the poster was soaking wet.

“Ah, it’s wet!” Sakura said, not expecting that.

Naruto laughed, “No matter, what was on it?”

“Well, there’s going to be a festival tomorrow, and-“

“Ah! I’ve seen a poster of that! Free food!” Naruto said, drool coming from his mouth at the mention of food.

Sakura twitched, “That’s not what I wanted to say... Naruto-“

“Shall we go together?” They both said at the same time. They blinked, but laughed after that.

“Of course I wanna go with you, Sakura-chan! Even if you didn’t asked me today, I still would’ve asked you.” Naruto grinned, sitting next to her on his bed.

“I’m glad, Naruto.” Sakura said, smiling also.

“So, you’re gonna go in those traditional kimono’s?” Naruto asked.

Sakura looked up, like she was thinking about her answer; “Mh, I don’t know. I don’t think a kimono is really my thing.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter, Sakura-chan! You would look pretty anyhow.” Naruto said grinning, half blushing.

This made Sakura blush like mad, though. She looked at Naruto, checking if he meant it. Naruto stopped grinning, and looked at Sakura, still smiling.

He meant it.

They were again so close. She could easily reach in. He could easily reach in.

“Ah, N-Naruto, I forgot. I have to do some errand for my mother. I have to go.” Sakura quickly sputtered, handing him his towel. “Thanks for lending me this. I’ll see you tomorrow, I’ll be waiting at the entrance for you at 7, ok? Bye.” Sakura said, as she quickly ran outside, a blush clearly seen on her face.

“A-ah, Sakura-chan!” Naruto yelled, but it went unheard; Sakura was already too far away.

“Sakura-chan...”

To Be Continued