Say It’s Alright

mango soda

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“Here.” She handed him a blue umbrella, her eyes directed downwards, never looking at his eyes.

Neither made any movements for a long time, until Sakura spoke again.

“Aren’t you going to-?”

Sakura stopped midway, finally catching a sight of her teammate’s expression. He had that same dull smile she had often seen and his unreadable blue eyes looked at where she held something. She looked away, feeling regretful for being there.

“I thought you were angry?” By the way he spoke though, it was as if he said a statement.

“I… You’re not yet… recovered…”

“Well, thanks very much for caring! For once, can’t you even try to look after yourself?” she spat angrily, never stopping. “I’m tired of looking after you again and again. For your information, Naruto, I can also save myself. I can do things on my own and I—“

“Saku—“

“I just wish you’d stop doing this to me…!”

He was taken aback at her words as he looked at her, confused than ever.

“And you know what, I just hate it when you keep disclosing yourself. You never tell me what’s wrong with you or what’s happening to you. You keep on… on… you keep on smiling as if nothing’s wrong!”

“But—“

“Damn it, Naruto! You keep on saying everything’s alright… when.. when it’s not!” She fought hard to keep her emotions suppressed. Her throat seemed to clench as she continued to shout at him.

“I…”

“Damn… Damn you…”

With that, she turned her back at him and finally walked away. She never noticed the tear that trickled down her cheeks.

“I see….”

They wasted their time with silence, and Sakura did not feel in the least comfortable.

“Here.” She offered the umbrella to him again.

In the background, they could hear the sound of rain numbing their ears. The cold seemed to affect Sakura, and she shivered.

After what took years, Naruto slowly clutched the umbrella and Sakura let go.

It happened more than two days ago, on a mission they book together. To Naruto, it was the worst mission he had ever been… with Sakura. Sakura beating him verbally was the least he had expected. Sure, they had a few arguments, but not this way. There was no sarcasm, no humor and no life… it had been all serious… and cold.

Sakura, on the other hand, didn’t know what took over her to make such an attempt over Naruto. In the inside, she really hated the way he kept on saving her. It was an affectionate attempt, but, digging down deeper, she felt like the poor damsel in distress. But that wasn’t the point. Over the years they spent together, she had grown very much to care for him. For every injury he had, the smallest of the smallest of wound to a life-threateni9ng situation, she was always there to attend to him. It was like she was his own personal medic, not that she minds. Everytime he protects her… it was his life on the line. The probability of losing him… risking his life.. was far too great for her liking. It hurt her to see him hurt. They had the same point of view. They watched out for each other and stood beside one another, it was normal for her to feel that way. And when the thought that he almost died after another of his I-will-protect-you-with-all-of-my-life episodes she shook with fury, resulting to the worst scenario they had ever been in.

She felt as if her heart was being ripped out of her body, alive.

She opened her mouth to speak, but paused, changing her mind.

Then she opened it again, but now with something to different to say, “I… I better get going now. “ The tension was too thick for her to continue to stay.

“Wait.” He called out.

She looked at him over her shoulder.

“Um… Can I walk you home?”

Her eyes widened. After all that, he was still being nice to her?

Typical Naruto.

Speechless, she nodded as a reply.

With the umbrellas above their head, they walked down the road together.

Naruto became surprised when he saw her leaning against the wall of the building of the Hokage Tower when he was dismissed. Her eyes stared off into space dreamily and he watched her as if he was entranced. But he stopped when his attention turned to the object she was holding.

There were two umbrellas. The other was dripping wet, while the other…

“Um…” Naruto stopped walking as he heard the girl in front of her speak.

“I…” She never turned around to face him. “I’m … uh… I’m sorry.” She finally blurted out. “For.. that…” It was hard to read her expression at this view.

“No worries.” Naruto said, his voice shaking, and he was thankful the rain had been there to mask it.

“Naruto…” She turned halfway, still not facing him. “I… It’s just that…”

He smiled warmly, waiting for her to continue. He could feel some droplets of water splatter on his bare skin and clothes. (He concluded that maybe Sakura was also wet from being under the rain for so long)

“I just…” She warily averted her eyes to him, then looked away again. Giving up, she sighed.

Naruto walked towards her.

“I apologize too. I didn’t know you didn’t like it when...”

“It’s okay!” she interrupted. “I mean, it’s not my business to know what’s happening to you. I’m in no position to scold you and…” she closed her eyes.

“It is.”

She opened her green orbs, finally managing the strength to look at him. She saw that his eyes started to brighten.

“It.. is…? What..”

He smiled again.

She could feel her body flush.

“I didn’t want you to know because I was afraid you’d worry. And… I don’t think I want that.” He lowered his eyes.

“But you know I’d get more worried if you didn’t tell me anything.”

“It makes me feel better to know what you’re feeling.” She said meaningfully when another pause occurred yet again.

Naruto didn’t shift, but he understood well.

“It just makes me sad when you… don’t want me to know.” She sighed again, deeply. “But as I said, I have no right to think that way. So please forget what I said…”

“I’m hurt.” She jerked when he spoke. “It really hurts, but then, I don’t think I’d mind. I’m not feeling well. I feel like I’m starting to get sick. It scares me when you’re not safe.”

Naruto advanced towards her, still speaking. She looked confused, as if she didn’t know what he talking about, but clearly, she knew. She knows.

At their close proximity, she could feel his breath on her face. She had never remembered any moment when they had been this close… purposely.

“I know you hate me. I know you hate what I keep on doing. But I won’t stop. No matter what you tell me. No matter how selfish I may seem. I won’t stop.”

“What…”

Her breath hitched as she eyed his finger that traced her chin, lightly and softly.

She shivered, but she didn’t push him away. She was uncomfortable, but she can’t deny that she didn’t want his full attention on her.

His gaze held a different meaning to her but she didn’t mind that too.

She was scared that he’d hate her forever because of the unplanned and thoughtless incident, so she came. To reconcile. She knew she was wrong, but she knew that what she felt couldn’t be avoided as well.

She was scared that he’d run away from her.

“I’m sorry if I can’t stop protecting you. You see, it’s like a life to me.”

Her eyes widened a bit. She could still feel his skin tenderly slither against her skin.

“I… I just don’t want you to go.” She dropped her head and fought to keep her tears.

Suddenly, he cupped her chin slowly and surely lifting her face to his. It was so un-Naruto. But here he was, his forehead pressed against hers, his ocean-blue eyes gazing down at hers.

“Did it ever cross your mind that it’s me who’s leaving you?”

It was an innocent question but it felt like the most impossible to answer.

She felt her cheeks heaten again, and she trembled again. Without meaning to, she dropped her umbrella and she let out a small squeak.

Inside, her inner self told her how pathetic she was, going out of control like that. But the inner self couldn’t deny what she was feeling too.

Before her hand reached the handle, she saw his getting it first.

“Um, thanks.” She said awkwardly.

But he didn’t give it to her, instead, he lifted it above her.

She muttered a small thank you and tried to pry it out of his hand, but he still didn’t let go.

“Naruto,” she growled. She could feel the tension dissipating and they were back to normal again.

Then she snatched it away from, huffing as she turned her back to him.

She was still red from the aftermath but she also thanked the heavens above the dark sky and the rain (because it blurs their vision) hid it.

“Thanks.. again.”

“No problem.” He grinned, but she wasn’t there to see it. “So, you up for Ichiraku?”

“Um. Sure.” She chuckled lightly.

Her smile faded when she felt the heat of his body press against her back, they were so close again.

He leaned down to whisper and she couldn’t help avoid having the shiver to ran down her spine.

“When nothing’s okay, I’ll tell you to make you feel better. I will make you safe. “ He paused but added. “And I will stay.”

Then as if nothing had ever happened, he walked to her front, leading the way.

She breathed air in, as she took in his words, paralyzed.

After what seemed years to her, she smiled.

She felt much comfortable than ever. It was a promise that he’d never break.

His way of a ninja.

And she promised, in return, that she would do the same, selfishly. It was a promise that she’d never break.

It was her way of a ninja.

“You coming?”

“You bastard! Who told you to leave me here!”

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Woah…. I’m so sleepy now. It’s freakn four in the morning. But making a NaruSaku story felt so good! Thanks to inspirations! Inspired wholly from the song “Say OK” sung by Vanessa Anne Hudgens. I’m not a fan of her but… the lyrics really clicked well. I didn’t want this to go further. I wanted them to stay the same way, but not really. Development would be a good word to explain. And.. some of the italicized word have two meanings...

Important note: Say It’s Alrightdoes not really mean that she wants to him to tell her that it’s alright. Just wanted to point out. If you’ve heard the song, you’d know. She wanted Naruto to tell her that everything’s fine by telling her what he feels. It’s also means something deeper, though I’m too sleepy to explain further. In the lyrics, she doesn’t want him to run away in the worst of times, and this what also Sakura feels. She feels she went far enough for him to keep up with her. Insecure Sakura tests the water first before delving into something deeper. She just wants to feel safe being with him. (I guess that’s the theme?)

Thank you for reading. I didn’t have much time to go through what I’m typing. I just typed like mad (ah, the aftermath of inspiration and excitement). I did not check the grammars or spellings, so I apologize if there is any mistake. This is my first time to make anything as awkward like this, and I apologize again if the ending is not what you expected it to be. Please tell me what you think, it’ll give me a real good insight of my attempt. I also hope it didn’t put you off.