Naruto's Denial

          It has been two months since Naruto and Sakura were in the hospital. Sakura was free to go 2 weeks before Naruto but insisted to not leave until Naruto did. With Sakura’s love and care and some medical ninjitsu, Naruto has recovered. When Naruto ran outside, he climbed up the tower he climbed when he came back to Konoha from his 2.5 year trip. With his arms stretched out screaming. “Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki went on a suicide mission and is back and is better then ever” “Naruto” Sakura calls from below. Naruto smiles and jumps down. “How are you feeling Sakura?” Naruto asked with a smile. “Just fine.” She smiles back. She then smacks his head. “Ow. What was that for” he asks rubbing his head. “That’s for leaving me and going off on a suicide mission” she yells with anger. “And this,” she then grabs his chin and locks her lips with his. She then releases blushing. “Is for saving my life” They then start hug with Sakura’s head in his chest and Naruto’s head on top of hers.
          “Awwww. That’s so sweet.” Ino says looking at them. “So, are you two planning on round 2” Ino teases with a smirk.  Both of them glaring at her with eyes that if blades could kill. “What, I was kidding” she said waving her hands with a cold sweat. “By the way, Tsunade wanted to talk to you Naruto.” Both confused but then start to walk to Tsunade’s. “Well I see you two are fine.” She says then staring at Naruto with an evil glare. He twitchs still remembering there conversation. “So, what did you won’t to talk to me for?” Naruto asks. “Well I have been talking with Kakashi and Yamito about your performance during the mission. I talked the councilors and with some, persuasions.” She says with smirk. “We have decided that you have shown skills of a well leader and… Congratulation’s Naruto Uzumaki, you are now a Chunnin.” She says smiling. Naruto’s mouth drops at the statement. “Really, Tsunade-sama.” Sakura asks with surprise. “Yes” she says smiling even more. Naruto then starts to smile with so much joy. He soon starts to jump around and hugs Tsunade. “Thank you granny-Tsunade. I promise I’ll be the best Chunnin you ever had.” He said releasing Tsunade and runs to Sakura. “I’m so proud of you Naruto” Sakura’s says hugging him. “Don’t get confortable wet you two. The Jonnin exams are coming and I assigned you two to participate in it” Tsunade says sitting down. “Really. Awesome. We need to get started on training for it Naruto-kun” Sakura says smiling at him. “Yah, lets get going Sakura-chan” Naruto says pulling her by the hand. “Thanks again Tsunade-sama” Sakura says half way out the door.
          After they practiced it was getting late.  “So Naruto, you want to get some ramen” Sakura says waiting for him to go crazy. But something was wrong. He just stood there. “Sakura-chan, we need to talk” Naruto says walking Sakura over to a nearby tree. “What is it Naruto-kun?” Sakura said concerned.  “Sakura, I wonted to talk about to you about us.” He said blushing slightly. Sakura’s face started to get red. “What do you mean?” Sakura asked a little confused. 147;It’s just that, that night that you said you loved me and said it wasn’t because I was a replacement. I just have a little bit of dout in those words” He said. “I wont to know if you mean that” Sakura starts to frown. “It’s just that. You loved Sasuke when we were gennin and now that he is gone for good. I want to know if I’m just the second place medal.” Sakura’s eyes start to form unknown tears. “It’s just that, if Sasuke was alive and hear, and he came over and said he loved you, would you throw me aside like trash?” Sakura’s tears start to roll down her cheeks. “But, either I find a way to see if your love is real or just a replacement love. I just can’t be shore if we can…” He is then cut off by a sob. “I’m sorry Naruto-kun. I know my past reactions towards you would make you feel other wise but. If you won’t proof, I tell you it.” Sakura sobs with large tears.
          She takes a deep breath and starts to talk about the reasons that she does love him. From when he showed kindness to when he saved her life. She even told negative facts about Sasuke. That made Naruto’s eyes widden. “I know that maybe that if Sasuke was alive I still may have showed some feelings. But the truth is. Deep inside me, I started to form feelings for you, when I realized you saved me from Gaara. And threw out the years those feelings grew more and more. And it finally became clear when I saw how the death of Sasuke, Jiraya, and Sai made you feel. I know it may have seemed I am merely using you as a replacement but the truth is that…” she was then cut off by Naruto’s arms around her and his lips against hers. She then closes her eyes and deepens the kiss. They release as Naruto smiles saying. “I believe you Sakura-chan” he says as her tears turn to joy and they held each other’s worm embrace never wonting to let go.