Talking: “...”

Thinking: ‘...’

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Yesss...

Open Your Eyes

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Chapter 3: It’s not a date!

“No...no... argh! These clothes are all no good!” Sakura yelled, as she tried to pick out an outfit for her dinner with Naruto.

“Wait, we’re only going to go to Ichiraku’s. No need to dress up.” She made a nervous laugh. She looked at her clock; 6.30. Only a half an hour until Naruto comes.

Suddenly someone knocked on her door, and before Sakura could say something, her mother barged in; “Oh, Sakura, dear! Do you want to know what I wore at your dad and I first date?”

“No,” Sakura replied, a bored look on her face. “and I don’t want to know.”

But her mother continued, “Oh, our first date was so romantic! Although we didn’t go to a ramen bar...” Her mother said, while placing a hand under her chin, as if she was trying to go back to that time.

“Mom!” Sakura almost screamed, blushing. “It’s not a date! Just a friendly dinner! I want to thank him!”

“Oh dear, everyone denies it, I know how you feel. But don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. Now, who was it again?” He mother asked, a smile on her face.

Sakura sighed, “Naruto mom. Naruto Uzumaki.” As soon as she said his name, her mother’s smiling face turned into a white, scared one.

“W-what?” Her mother asked. Sakura clearly could hear the shock in her voice.

This made Sakura a it uncomfortable; “Y-yeah, you know mom. Naruto, my team mate? You know, our Genin group?” Darn, Sakura never told her mother that.

“I forbid it!” Her mother suddenly screamed out. Sakura was sure that everyone who was outside could hear it.

Sakura was shocked, her eyes wide. “W-what? Why?”

Her mother explained, “That boy is a monster! Don’t you know what happened 12 years ago? How many people have died-“

“That is not Naruto’s fault!” Sakura retorted. They still thought Naruto was like that, that he was the same as the Nine-Tailed Fox, who killed many Konoha Shinobi 12 years ago.

“No, but he has that monster inside him! That also makes him a monster!”

“How could you...?” Sakura whispered, “Naruto never choose to have the Kyuubi sealed inside him...” Tears formed in her eyes. She could see young Naruto standing there, alone, with no one who cared for him. Oh, how she wanted to go to him. To play with him, to see him smile. Sakura clenched her fists, “He didn’t even had a choice! It’s all the 4th Hogakes fault!”

“The 4th Hogake saved us! Don’t you dare say that!” Her mother said.

“And don’t you dare to say that Naruto is a monster! He is one of the best Shinobi in this village. You don’t even know him!”

“I know him well enough because of the past-“

Sakura cut her off, “No you don’t!” She walked to the door, with Naruto’s jacket in her right hand. “You know what, mother? I don’t care what you say. I trust Naruto, I know Naruto. He isn’t like the people here say he is.” Sakura began walking downstairs, her mother still at the doorway of Sakura’s room.

“Sakura, if you go, you’re grounded for the rest of your life!” He mother yelled.

Sakura didn’t look at her as she opened the front door. “That’s a risk I’m gladly to take.” She went outside and slammed the door hard behind her.

Her mother sighed and closed her eyes. “I can’t stop her, she is just like me... I was exactly the same when my mother told I couldn’t date my husband.” She smiled a bit. “Well, I guess... I should trust Sakura’s heart on this one.”

-Outside-

Sakura sighed. It’s true, she never told her mother about Naruto. Even that he was one of her team mates. She only talked about Sasuke.

Sakura sighed again, and sat on the floor. She looked at her watch; only 5 minutes until Naruto would arrive.

She looked up, to the sky, “It looks like it’s gonna be a starry night.”

“Sakura-chan!” She heard a yell coming from her right. She knew immediately who it was.

She stood up, “Naruto!” She waved, letting him know that she stood there. He waved back, a big smile on his face. She could clearly see what he was wearing; a simple orange T-shirt with black pants. He didn’t had his headband on, and somehow, Sakura thought he looked cute with his bangs just above his eyes.

He finally reached Sakura. “Sakura-chan! Were you waiting here long?” Naruto asked.

Sakura shook her head. “No, I just got outside.” She saw a sudden blush on Naruto’s face.

“Uhm, y-you look nice, Sakura-chan.” Sakura looked at her clothes. She had a combination on she tried earlier; she was dressed in a red skirt with her symbol on it that reached just above her knees. She was also wearing a green/blue tank top with a thin, white vest to make it complete. She had her hair in a ponytail, and also didn’t had her headband on.

She smiled, “Thank you Naruto. You look pretty good yourself too.”

Naruto grinned, his hands behind his head. “Hehe, don’t I? Special for tonight.”

Sakura giggled, “Naruto, remember, it’s not a-“

But Naruto cut her off, “I know, I know. It’s not a date. But... It’s still special to me.”

Sakura looked at him, with quite a shocked look on her face. “Huh?”

“Because,” He said, looking into her eyes. “I’m together with Sakura-chan, that’s all that matters for me.”

Sakura blushed, her heart beating faster. “I... Uhm, Naruto...-“ But she was cut off by a strange sound, yet familiar.

Naruto put his hand on his stomach. “Ah-haha... I guess I’m hungry...” Sakura giggled, finding it quite amusing.

“Shall we, Sakura-chan?” Naruto asked, with outstretched arm, which Sakura took gladly.

“Lead the way.” Sakura said, as they began to walk.

But after a few steps, they stopped. Naruto turned to look at Sakura with big eyes. “You don’t know the way to Ichiraku’s?!”

Sakura twitched, before giving him a smack on the head. “Just walk, baka!” They began to walk again, Naruto touching his bump, unable to notice that Sakura gave a slight giggle.

-At Ichiraku’s-

“Here you go; two miso ramen!”

“Thank you, old man!” Naruto said as he began to dig in. “Itadakimasu!” Both he and Sakura said.

You just had to blink, or Naruto had his bowl already empty. “Second, please!”

Sakura stopped eating and looked at her bowl; something was on her mind. “Naruto...” She began, and Naruto looked up.

“Mh?”

“About yesterday...” Sakura said, as she stopped. Naruto blushed as he remembered the hug.

Sakura continued; “I’m sorry.”

This took Naruto off guard. “Huh? Why?”

“I... was a burden again for you...” She looked down, not wanting to face Naruto.

“What are you talking about, Sakura-chan? You weren’t a burden for me, and you’ll never will. You know that.” Wanting to touch her shoulder, but she turned away so that he couldn’t reach.

“Then why do I see myself as a burden for you? Yesterday... I was waiting for him again. And every night, when I go home, I feel so weak. And when you came yesterday... I was so ashamed, that you saw me like this. Especially after I told you that I would become stronger.”

“Sakura-chan, you don’t have to do that alone. Although I don’t really understand it, because you are already strong in my eyes, I want to help you reach your goal. No matter what it takes.”

“Naruto...” Sakura said, with tears in her eyes. This alarmed Naruto.

“A-ah, I’m sorry Sakura-chan! Did I hurt you? Did I say something bad?”

Sakura wiped her tears away with a smile on her face, “No, Naruto... You didn’t say anything wrong... Thank you.”

Naruto gave a little sigh of relief, and smiled at her. Sakura smiled back, feeling strangely happy at this moment.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss...” Sakura and Naruto quickly looked at the owner, with looks that could kill.

“It’s nothing like that, you hentai!” They both screamed, before the owner turned away, to make some more ramen. Although they both went quiet after that, they blushed at what the owner said.

What if...?

-After dinner-

“Ahhh! That was great!” Naruto said, as he stretched his arms under the bright night sky.

“It sure was.” Sakura said, smiling. “I really enjoyed tonight, Naruto.”

Naruto blushed, but had a sweet smile on his face. “Me too, Sakura-chan. Should I walk you home?”

Sakura nodded, “Yes, thank you Naruto.” But as soon as they left, Sakura was beginning to shiver. There was a cold wind blowing, even though it was summer. She made a little whimper, and held her arms around her. As soon as she did that, she felt something warm around her shoulders. She looked up, and saw that Naruto placed his jacket around her shoulders, again. Naruto wore a gentle smile on his face.

Sakura began to blush, “Thanks, Naruto.”

“Well, we can’t have you getting sick, right Sakura-chan?”

There it was again. That strange, warm feeling. The feeling that made her felt safe. The feeling that made her feel loved.

The feeling that she never had with Sasuke.

She tightly shut her eyes and began shaking her head. Of course, this did not go unnoticed.

“Sakura-chan? What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Don’t you feel well?” Naruto asked worried, as he stood before her.

Suddenly, tears fell down on the ground, making Naruto even more worried. “Sakura-ch-“

“I’m sorry, Naruto... I’m so sorry...” He could hear fear in her voice, like she’s scared of something.

“I want to save him... I want to save Sasuke-kun...” Sakura’s voiced trembled.

Of course, Sasuke. Naruto knew he would never stand a chance against him when it comes to Sakura. He wanted to save him too, of course.

What was she saying? Of course she wants to save Sasuke, but that’s not what she felt right now. Did she made this up? Just to not blow her cover?

She heard feet shuffle, and suddenly, two arms were wrapped around her. Those same arms.

Sakura closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest; but she was not hugging him back. She wouldn’t care if anyone saw her at that moment. She just kept on crying, as Naruto kept hugging her.

“Don’t worry, Sakura-chan. I want him back too. We’ll do it together. We’ll get him back.” Naruto said, closing his eyes. He would do anything for Sakura, even though it would hurt himself.

He pushed her softly off him, but he was still holding her shoulders. She was not facing him; she still looked down, with tears streaming down her face.

“I know...” She said softly. “I know, Naruto...”

He smiled softly as he put his index finger under her chin, making her look up. “Don’t cry, Sakura-chan. Let this not ruin our night.”

She giggled a bit. “This wasn’t a date, Naruto.” She said as she wiped her tears.

“Ah, darn...” He sighed. “Well, shall we go?”

“Yes, we shall.” Sakura replied as they began to walk again.

Their walk was quiet, and before they knew it, they were in front of Sakura’s house.

“Well,” Naruto began. “here we are again.” Sakura only nodded.

She suddenly jumped and took the jacket off her shoulders; she handed them to Naruto. “Here, before I forget to give it to you again.“ She smiled.

‘She’s beautiful...’ Naruto thought, as he saw her smile, which made him smile too.

He took the jacket. “Thanks, I really had a great time, you know.”

Sakura nodded, “Me too...”

It stayed quiet for a bit, wile a strong wind suddenly swept Sakura in Naruto’s arms.

“Sakura-chan! Are you alright?” Naruto asked, as he catches her before she could fall down.

She quickly stood up, still in his arms, blushing. “Ah, sorry, I didn’t knew the wind was that strong.” She giggled nervously.

She looked into his eyes, and noticed they were almost hypnotising. And it seemed he thought the same thing about her eyes. They moved in closer, as if something pushed them from behind. They eyes almost closed, while they reached in...

“Sakura, come inside! Or you’ll maybe wake the neighbours!” Her mothers voice called from above.

Quickly, they pushed each other away, blushing.

Sakura cleared her throat, “Uhm, I guess... I go inside now...? So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Uhm, yeah... I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Sakura-chan.”

“Goodnight, Naruto.” Sakura said, as she saw Naruto walk off yet again.

She opened her door, and as soon as she closed it behind her, she had a shocked look on her face.

“What... just happened?!”

To Be Continued