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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Sept 20, 2012 16:59:28 GMT -5
Sakura was having one of those days that needed a bit of sunshine. She was hearing too many rumors about sasuke being spotted and most of them had been false and she was getting a bit sick and tired of that. Now that she had returned from another dead end lead, she could relax and maybe train. However she was unsure of her next move. there had been so many leads that all but a few had been exhausted. She pushed back her bangs as she blew out an irate breath. Her patience with this matter was growing shorter and shorter. And then there was the matter of who she could trust. Not many people would openly tell you if you were their friend or not. She always tried to tell it like it was but now a days it was tricky because of the questions that seemed to pop up all over the place. She soon realized that sitting where she was could alert someone of her presence. She wasn't in the mood to be found out, heck Inner Sakura was trying to get her way again and she was doing her best to suppress her. Inner Sakura had gotten her in so much trouble over the years that she had lost count, it was a good thing she was older and able to control her better. So what was the truth anyways?
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Sept 20, 2012 17:32:22 GMT -5
Naruto hadn't been paying much attention to rumors about Sasuke lately as he used to. He'd grown accustomed to the idea that the Uchiha would never come back to Konohagakure unless it was to destroy him and the village and everyone in it. Sasuke didn't want to be saved that much was clear to him now. He cared nothing for anyone anymore especially his old teammates. The thought was depressing knowing Sakura still had some feelings for her be them small and wanted to bring him back to the village. Lately it seemed like she was the only one who believed in that anymore. After all he had done there was no redemption for him only death. He didn't want to kill Sasuke for Sakura's sake but at this point there didn't seem to be any other options. He sighed lightly rubbing the right side of his jaw now. That clone of his had hit him with a real nasty punch having caught him off-guard during their brief training session earlier. He'd walk into a clearing now and stopped when he spotted Sakura there seemingly staring off into space. Not sure whether he should approach her and disturb her or not he simply stood there rubbing his jaw some more as he pondered his next course of action.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Sept 22, 2012 20:38:53 GMT -5
Sakura's deep thoughts had her oblivious to anyone or anything besides Sasuke and how life had once been. She exhaled as she remembered with a great fondness the years before Sasuke's departure and betrayal. She had no doubts that she should move on but a first love was a hard thing to get over. She tensed when she realized that she wasn't the only one who must have these feelings. Ugh how could she be so blind?! She slapped her forehead as she got mad over her own short sighted-ness. Oh it had been right in her face and like a child she had gone on with what was bothering her. Her own friends had been through so much and all she could think of was Sasuke. They deserved better than that from her. As she rubbed the new welt on her forehead, she came out of her thoughts. Suddenly she saw over her shoulder that Naruto was there. He also seemed to be hurting from his own welts.
"Naruto! How long have you been standing here?" She asked as she bounded over to him with a sheepish smile.
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Sept 22, 2012 21:21:48 GMT -5
Naruto knew better than anyone how hard it was to get over a big crush and first love. He liked to believe he had moved past Sakura now but he hadn't entirely. He accepted she'd never return his feelings anytime soon but he still couldn't help feeling smitten with her. Seeing her smile still gave him butterflies and just talking to her always brightened up his day. He missed the days before Sasuke had left. All the times the two of them had competitions together with Sakura yelling at him to leave Sasuke alone. Those had been the good ol days when they had been so innocent and naive. Now they were all grown up facing the true harsh realities of life. He'd look up hearing Sakura call out to him now realizing she had noticed him as he had spaced out. He smiled sheepishly running a hand through his hair now.
"Huh? Oh not long. I was just coming from training. Clone really socked me good in the jaw a few times." He chuckled lightly thinking about it. It had been his own fault for being hit. He had started to think about Hinata-chan and how beautiful she had grown up to become. He wanted to ask her out on a date but lately she had been busy so he was waiting for the right time to see her. "So what are you doing out here alone? Training as well hm?" He asked raising a curious brow now.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Sept 26, 2012 18:02:22 GMT -5
Sakura nodded. " I was earlier in the morning and I decided awhile ago to just take it minute by minute." She explained as she stretched her arms behind her head. "Your clone did a good job of roughing you up, mine didn't hold back either." She added as she pointed out the welt on her left leg. "She caught me off guard and managed to get a good clean hit in." She said as she bent down to examine it. She needed to clean it again and she didn't really like the thought of it looking the way it did. She got out her medical kit and applied the proper things to heal it faster. She looked up at Naruto when it was all bandaged up.
"So tell me, have you had any time off so you can relax and have fun?" She asked him as she studied him.
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Sept 26, 2012 19:20:15 GMT -5
"Ah figured as much since you look a little banged up like me." He smiled sheepishly at her comment about his clone. His was his fault since he had told him not to go easy on him. He was just lucky he hadn't used sage mode or nine tails chakra mode or it could have been much worse. "I'd hate to fight one of your clones so I'll take mine any day." He knew from experience how hard she could hit someone if she wanted to. He had been a victim of her wrath many a times for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had trained under Tsunade after all and he knew what a scary woman she could be too when angered. "Not lately no. Been trying to keep myself busy and distracted." Why one might ask him? Because he was tired of being alone and hated seeing other couples. It was depressing and reminded him of what he didn't have. He figured if he kept himself busy and distracted then he wouldn't have to think about it. He knew Sakura probably felt the same way but she would never tell him about it knowing she liked to keep her problems to herself. "Did you want to hang out and do something? I'm free now so I got nothing to do but kill time now." He smiled at her clasping his hands together behind his head now.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Oct 3, 2012 18:56:08 GMT -5
Sakura smiled. "I told her the same thing, I doubt Lady Tsunade would want me slacking off. Though I do need a break from things. She replied. She looked at him as she thought about how things had changed. If she could she would make things easier for everyone. But that wasn't to be. She had thoughts about just staying the same but that meant no training and not enjoying her self. I wouldn't want you getting hurt, I try to tell them to go easy on my friends but sometimes they don't listen. Plus you would whoop them. I'm no match for you after all." She said not minding that it was the truth. She had trained under Tsunade but the late Pervy Sage was always stronger than Tsunade. Though she'd never say it to Tsunade. Tsunade had a wicked temper and she knew her well enough to know that she'd deny it.
I'd love to hang out with you, Naruto. what about grabbing some Ramen like old times? My treat. Then how does it sound that we just have fun like old times?" She said with a grin. She missed spending time with him. She still considered him her best friend and he had always been there when she needed someone. So it made sense that she'd return the favour. After all they had been teammates since they were small and her friends meant everything to her. Even if they didn't want her around anymore. She shook her head trying not to think of Sasuke. she didn't want to bum Naruto out or would that make him mad?
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Oct 3, 2012 21:39:29 GMT -5
"Heh right sounds like Grandma Tsunade alright. I'm sure she'd understand you need a break." He replied with a sheepish smile on his face now. The Sannin might have seemed lazy at times when she had been Hokage but when it came to what was most important she had always soared. Her hard work and determination showed through what she had achieved in her past. "Don't worry about it I'm strong so I can take it and your strong in your own right so don't put yourself down Sakura-chan." It was true if he used Sage Mode or Nine Tails Chakra Mode he could probably beat her easily. It wasn't a power he liked to abuse even if he had become best of friends with Kurama. Without it all it would probably take was one punch from Sakura using her strength of a hundred technique to kill him. Jiraiya had been strong in his own right but he felt Tsunade could have beaten him easily if she had wanted to.
"Oh you mean the old times like tricking me into fake dates so I'd pay for you? Those were the days indeed that I miss the most." He chuckled lightly remembering how he'd ask for a date and having her say yes. He hadn't known it was a trick then but now he realized he had ended up paying everytime so it had only been a ploy not that he cared he would have done anything for her. "Sure I'd love some ramen. Let's go to Ichiraku they've been missing my business I'm sure." He smiled knowing how they always loved to see him come by. When times had gotten slow for them his business had always been what kept them afloat.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Oct 5, 2012 18:03:25 GMT -5
Sakura giggled at the loving term that only Naruto could get away with. any one else would have gotten a smack down courtesy of her fists. Now Sakura could call her something endearing like that but she chose to use 'Lady Tsunade' instead of 'Grandma Tsunade' But it really came down to not angering the retired Sanin. after all she had been her pupil and she had seen first hand just how short tempered she was. Much like herself, she concluded since there were times that Naruto had gotten beaten up because of her short and volatile temper. If any one knew Lady Tsunade it was her. "I'm sure she wouldn't mind as well but there is a part of me that strives for bettering myself. I'm sure that their is a part of you that also wants the same thing, my dear friend."
The next words out of his mouth made her shake her head with wonder. Naruto was always saying the best things about everyone. Oh you flatter me, Naruto. Yes there are aspects that I beat you in but you beat me in many. I'm just being honest with you. I hate seeing you try and go easy on me just because I don't have a great being inside me. I'm quite okay with being strong without any help. And lets face it that Kyuubi of yours has saved you on my occasions. The same is said of you and our friends saving me when I did something stupid. I know the times I went out thinking a certain way and you and Kakashi-Sensei had to bail me out. I'm forever grateful for that. It helped me grow." She said with such honesty that it made her blush at her wisdom and naivety as a child.
She smiled as she pulled him into a hug. "Oh I feel horrible about all those times I did that, it wasn't nice of me to lead you on like that, please forgive me? I swear I'll make it up to you somehow. I've got it, I'll help you find a nice woman. Ichiraku it is." She said as she step back from him. She smiled as she looped her arm. She grinned as she pulled his hand inside her arm.
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Oct 5, 2012 22:22:49 GMT -5
Naruto knew Tsunade didn't like the term but he had come to see her as his Grandmother and him her grandson so she didn't seem to mind much anymore. She was so proud of him for how he had grown up to become what he was now. He only wished Jiraiya was her to see him now but he knew wherever he was he watching him right now. He'd be proud Naruto had continued his Icha Icha novels and Naruto was glad Sakura and Tsunade hadn't found out he had such was the genius of using another alias to write the books figuring no one would ever suspect him. He smiled sheepishly at the thought running a hand through his hair now. He simply nodded at what Sakura said remaining silent still.
"Guess your right but it's not like it's a contest really. I only want to be strong so I can become Hokage. I'm not out to be better than everyone or show them up and make them look weak." That wasn't what being a shinobi was about. It was about supporting your fellow shinobi and helping to better them. It was why on occasion he mentored Genins and Chunins to help them. To have his own personal students like Sakura though well he doubted anyone really wanted a sensei like him. He simply nodded at what Sakura said smiling as he remembered some of those moments. Back when Kurama had hated his guts and only saved him to save his own hide from dying. They had come so far since then and become a great team now.
"I'm more to blame then you Sakura-chan. I was like a lovesick puppy I probably would have jumped off of a cliff if it meant I got a date with you." He laughed now returning the hug patting her back gently a few times before letting go. Sure he still had some feelings for her now but he was mature enough and smart to know he had no chance so he set his sights elsewhere. He hadn't had any luck yet but someday the girl for him would show her face and he would find true love then. "You find me a woman? Who do you know that actually likes me?" He snorted remembering how all the girls including Sakura used to hate his guts. Now a ton of girls were in love with him but it was only an obsession really. He smiled sheepishly as she locked her arm in his and proceeded to drag him along now towards Ichiraku.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Oct 8, 2012 17:38:46 GMT -5
Sakura smiled as she thought about her old mentor. She owed her a lot and she had taken it upon herself to give back to the village and that meant she was now training others. She thought of her pupils and a proud smile broke onto her face. Yes they were doing her proud and she felt that each of them was going to go far. Maybe further than she had gone. Who knew. Certainly she didn't. And they didn't seem to mind Inner Sakura at all. That had surprised her.
"I know you never set out to be like that, you're a pure soul and you deserve a lot of credit. Some people would use some ones weakness against them and try to kill them. I just want to be the best that I can be and protect those that need me." She said as she looked at him again. She knew there were things that she could never control but if she was able to protect someone or teach them how to stay alive then she'd do it.
"Oh don't throw that back at me, I know one lovely young woman who would be thrilled to date you and you know who it is." She said with a laugh as she remembered how the girls had avoided him and how she had been. That made her sober up and she pulled him further. She'd regret that for the rest of her life. That and how she didn't see what she saw now. Naruto would make it, she knew it and it made her protective of him. she'd live to see him become Hokage and no one was going to stop him.
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Oct 9, 2012 16:19:21 GMT -5
Naruto smiled sheepishly glancing around the area as they walked along. He had no idea she had taken on students of her own now. Konohamaru had been a student of sorts of his but he hadn't really taken on any since then. He'd been far too busy honing his own skills while trying to keep updated on his fellow Jinchuriki to prepare them for their training. He guessed you could call them students but he had to take on a real one in which he could pass on his own will of fire and legacy to. Someday soon perhaps but when he wasn't exactly sure yet and there was no real rush if anyone came forward wanting to be a student of his he might consider it.
"That's all you can really do. Train long and hard to be the best shinobi you can possibly be while never losing sight of what's most important." It felt a little strange being the one to give advice to others. Sixteen years ago no one would have ever given him advice let alone approach him. Now he was grown up and giving advice to a lot of Genins and Chunins pertaining mostly to training as of late. "Ah Hinata-chan right? Haven't seen her much lately." He doubted she was avoiding him was just busy probably. She was the head of the main branch of her clan now so she was busy quite often with those duties. He smiled sheepishly as Sakura tugged him a long faster now the village gates coming into view now.
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Post by HARUNO SAKURA on Nov 15, 2012 23:48:35 GMT -5
Sakura smiled as she listened to her best friend in the whole wide world. She was also thinking about the others that had grown up and she grinned remembering that Konohamaru had been his shadow for the longest time. She laughed as she thought of his grin, much like Naruto's. She thought of her own students and a rush of pride and love swelled inside her. Yes they were coming through a lot and she was glad she had chosen them. "Yes that is exactly what I would say in now, you read my mind." She said as she pulled him a long.
She grinned at him. "Yes Hinata-san. You think there is another like her? She's been busy or so I've heard." She said as she saw the gates coming into view. She didn't dare bring up Sasuke and her run in with him. It was best to leave it alone. She wanted this to be a happy time and not a sad and angry time.
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Post by UZUMAKI NARUTO on Nov 16, 2012 0:55:03 GMT -5
It'd been awhile since he had seen Konohamaru. Whenever they were together they would always train together. Both had really matured now it seemed a dark contrast to when they had been kids. They were still rivals though still both sharing the dream to become Hokage. It seemed within reach now so close and yet so far away at the same time. He would smile sheepishly he'd get there someday but until then he planned to do his part to help out his fellow Jinchuriki. "Lucky coincidence I guess Sakura-chan." He would chuckle lightly now as she pulled him along. He would simply nod when she confirmed it was Hinata. It didn't surprise him she had always been in love with him. Recently he had begun to think of her like what she was doing or where she was. He felt maybe he was ready for a chance with her if she still wanted one to move past Sakura now. He could accept they would never be an item now. "Maybe I'll talk to her sometime catch up on things." He would reply looking up to see the village gates in view now. The guards would simply nod allowing them entry now knowing who they were. He noticed Sakura had become a little quiet but he wouldn't push on it. It was most likely something private and none of his business. He would simply nod his head in agreement now.
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