A New Beginning

Chap 4

"I'm tired!" Dragged Naruto. After the long day, the party was over and everyone scattered to homes. As promised to Tsunade, Sakura was going to take care of the blond tonight. Naruto was yawning and stretching his hands out behind his head. They both walked besides each other with a slight distance in between them.

Suddenly Naruto's stomach began to grown. "Ughh..." Started the teen. "All the wonderful food back there. I didn't even get a bite since I was chatting to everyone!" He cried, and Sakura thought back. "And I don't remember seeing any food in your house either. I guess that makes sense, since Lady Tsunade probably didn't want anything to spoil..." Naruto frowned even deeper at this, and cursed under his breath. "Arigatou baachan…"

They walked for a bit in silence, when Sakura got a nice idea. "How about Ichiraku Ramen?"

If I understood correctly, he loves the dish!

As soon as Sakura mentioned the place, Naruto's face beamed up. "Honto?!" He grabbed Sakura's hands in his, and squeezed them tightly. "I haven't been to that place in ages!" His grin growing bigger. Sakura could only laugh awkwardly.

I was right…

But soon pastel blue eyes fell to the floor. "Ah…" Exclaimed the blonde. "But I have no Ryo… (Naruto's universe currency)" He let his hands slip down, freeing the girl's.

"It'll be alright! I'll pay, and you can pay me back one day!" She smiled at him warmly, eyes closed and head tilted to one side. These petty actions brought Naruto's smile back. "Honto?" His hands were back on hers again, and this time Sakura did blush slightly. All this talk with Ino earlier was getting at her.

His hands are warm…

"Arigatou! I love you forever now, Sakura!" Naruto jumped around in joy, holding onto teen's hands tightly. Naruto's words rang through her head.

I love you.. I love you.. I love you!

"Ah, Naruto.. You shouldn't say words like that simply.." Sakura frowned and began walking towards Ichiraku. Her sudden change of mood stunned the blonde, and her hands slowly slipped out of his. "Common, let's eat some ramen!" Sakura called from her shoulder. Naruto didn't move at all, he just stared at her.

"Naruto?" She eyed him, and stopped too. "Did you suddenly change your mind?" After a long pause, Naruto finally muttered. "Sorry…"

Sorry?

His head hung low, hands glued to his sides. "Naruto?" Sakura stared innocently at him. "You don't have to apologise at all, it's just that I…"

"Loved someone?"

"Huh?" Naruto's words stunned Sakura, her green eyes slowly widening. "I-I..." She didn't know how to answer, and meaningless words stumbled from her mouth.

"Ah!" As if something clicked in the blonde's hollow head, he jumped. "I didn't mean to make you feel something! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything! It's just that…"

"You loved someone too…" Said Sakura, and both teen's heads dropped. Naruto slowly shook his head in agreement. "Yes, but our love was different from what you probably felt."

"I-If I can ask… who was it?" Sakura asked shakily. "I mean.. If you don't want to, you don't have to! But I just felt a bit… curious, that's all." Naruto pulled a light smile, perking up the corners of his mouth. "Sakura, I told you that I'd tell you everything one day or another. We're going to be teammates now too, so it's Natural you want to know things of your friends."

"Teammates? How did you know?" Sakura was taken aback. She was sure that she hasn't said anything to Naruto yet. At this, Naruto shined a genuine smile. "Konoha isn't as big as you think." Sakura laughed a little, and agreed silently.