I Love You for Who You Are

After a long night looking for Naruko and trying to calm Hinata down, the Hyuuga heir found her friend in a tree. As her eyes trailed down to the trunk of the tree, she saw ninja stars in it, along with a few kunai. Hinata did that when she was stressed out. During the Chunin exams she spent the whole day in the training field giving the tree all the stress she felt. Next to a few stars leaned her brother, arms crossed and eyes closed. Hinata flinched and hid behind a nearby bush. The copy of the girl sighed and lifted her head, looking at the copy of the boy.

“Are you done being a brat?” he asked, raising a brow. Naruko looked down at him and puffed out her cheeks. Soon those puffy cheeks deflated and turned to a small sad smile.

“I thought she’d be alright with my feelings… towards her.” she trailed off, looking down at her brother.

“Aren’t you happy you told her?” he asked, leaning his head back on the trunk.

“Yes. But she isn’t my friend anymo-”

“I am still your friend!” Hinata rose her voice but soon looked down. The twins stared at her, surprised. “I’m not mad at that.” she walked towards the two. “I’m mad because you kept that secret from me!” Naruto sighed, smiling a little. He knew she'd be a tad mad form this secret. Naruko stared down at the girl, dumbfounded and confused. She was not mad at her! They could keep their friendship and not worry about keeping her feelings a secret! She was just mad because Naruko kept that secret from her? Naruko just chuckled, hopped off the tree branch and hugged Hinata.

“I love you Hinata Hyuuga.” she whispered in her ear. Hinata closed her eyes, returning the hug. Naruto stared at the two girls, giving a big smile but soon it went away to a frown. He glared at his brother-in-law.

“How long have you been there?”

“Long enough for her to confess her love.”

“If someone heard you say that, they’d think your wife is cheating on you. And you’re ok with that?” Naruto said with a small sigh and looked at the girls. “She looks happy.”

“Weren’t you?”

“Yeah…”

“You guys have the same taste. Who knew you two would love the same person.” Sasuke soon gave a smirk at Naruto. “So, is there anything you want to tell me? Something you want to confess?”

“I don’t love you, teme.” Naruto growled.

“Are you sure?” he chuckled, leaning back on his heels. The boys stared at the girls. It was nice to have things back to normal.



Chapter 9: Alone at last. Feelings are reaching the brim



The team walked through the gate and the gate guards heard the bickering of the twins getting closer and closer. One of them sighed and stared at the young ninjas approaching them.

“Have they set a date? That Uzumaki and Uchiha.” The older one asked, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. The brown haired ninja followed his gaze and went back to his paper work.

“No. I heard they haven’t even planned anything. They might stay engaged for a long time.” He mumbled.

“Those two are a strange couple.” He said, watching Naruko and Sasuke yelling at each other. “But he’ll make perfect children with that Sakura girl. Brains and powers? That clan would be stranger than it was in the past.”

“You would think but don’t doubt that girls will-power.” The eldest chuckled, leaning back in his seat. The young guard looked at him confused.

“Just because she brought back the Uchiha doesn’t mean ANYTHING.”

“I have hope for her. And her brother too.” he said, letting the group through. Naruko tackled down her brother and the two started to get into a small fight. Sasuke just stood there, his arms crossed while Hinata just sighed and tried to talk them into stopping. The guards gave the siblings a small smile. “If they survive each other that long.” The elder said, leaning back in his seat. The younger one watched them getting separated by their lovers. Naruko pushed Sasuke away and dusted herself off. Sasuke raised his arms up, giving her a cold look. Naruto held on to Hinata, whimpering. The Hyuuga gave him a small smile, petting his head. Walking by the guards, Naruko stopped and gave them a bright smile and waved at them. They had a small blush, waving back at them. The moment was ruined when a jealous Sasuke pulled Naruko away from them, dragging her by her hand.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Stop flirting with them.” they’re bickering faded away slowly while the guards stared at the strange couple.

“She’s cute…”

“Yeah…”

Sasuke leaned against the wall of the Hokage’s office, ignoring the yelling and shouting that was going on. Naruto wanted to be an ANBU but Naruko won’t allow her brother to do such stupid things and that caused a huge fuss. Hinata sighed and tried to calm the twins. Tsunade was in the middle of the huge mess, trying to fight off the urge of knocking them both out the office. Sakura just happened to be there so Tsunade could approve of her getting overtime at the hospital. She looked over to Sasuke and walked towards him.

“How was the mission?” she asked, giving him a reassuring smile. Sasuke looked at her, then back at the fighting siblings.

“She did it.”

“What?” Sakura’s eyes widened a bit, feeling a small tighten in her heart. “It,” she looked at Naruko holding onto Hinata “It went well?”

“Yeah. Just small drama. No big deal.” he gave her a small chuckle. Sakura looked at him and at the show. Show meaning, Tsunade holding the Narus by their shirts. “Idiots.” he chuckled, smirking at the twins. Sakura looked at him and that tight feeling got stronger. She knew she lost her chance with him. She knew his love for Naruko was greater than her own for him. Sakura could never live up to Naruko. Sasuke eyed Naruko while Sakura stared at him. She could see it too. He was happy.

“You really love her?” she asked, causing Sasuke to snap out his gaze. He gave her a small smile and a nod.

“Yeah. She’s my life.” he told her, walking up to Naruko and threw her over his shoulder.

“Hey!” Naruko said, looking at the Uchiha “I’m not done here!”

“Well I am.” he said, walking out the door and heading back to their little home. Sakura sighed, watching them. Naruto looked at Sakura and at Hinata. Hinata gave him a small nod and followed her best friends.

“Granny? Mind if I steal Sakura away for a bit?”

“Sure.” Tsunade agreed, allowing Naruto to carry Sakura in his arms “Just bring her back” She gave them a playful wink and off Naruto went, carrying a confused Sakura.

“Naruto! Put me down!” She shouted, shaking her arms around. Naruto ignored her plea and kept on running. “What if someone sees you doing this?”

“Yeah, taking care of a friend is more important than what others have to think about this.” he said, straightforward and serious. Sakura looked at him and felt a tad scared about what was going on.

“Naruto.. Please don’t let it be another confession. You are happy with Hinata. She’s a ni-”

“Nah. It’s not about her.” he answered, placing her down once they reached their old training ground. “How are you feeling?”

“What are you talking about?” she asked, moving a few strands of her hair behind her ear, looking at the ground. Naruto looked at her and gave a small sigh.

“You know I don’t like liars.” Sakura looked at him and held his arm. “How are you?”

“Since when can you detect when someone’s feeling bad?” she joked, giving a sad smile. Naruto shrugged, placing his hands behind his head, eyes closed “I’m not alright, but I’m not back.” she spoke, softly and her voice shaken. “I’m jealous, angry, happy, joyful, and annoyed with Naruko.”

“Sis does have that effect on people.” her teammate told her. Sakura looked at Naruto and soon her eyes started to well up with tears.

“Why her!?” she shouted, running towards him and holding him tight. Naruto flinched at the sudden hold. He knew she wasn’t ok with her crush being with another women. but he didn’t think it was this bad. “I stood by Sasuke and supported him for so long! I showed him how strong I could be and I loved him for such a long time.” she sobbed into Naruto’s orange and black jacket. He wrapped his arms around her small shaking body “It’s not just some silly old crush, Naruto.. I really do love him! I love him with all my life.”

“I know that. He knows that. But he picked her...And they are in love…” he stopped talking, hearing her cry even more. “I’m not good with this.. I think I should have let Hinata-chan talk to you..” he mumbled, rubbing her back slowly. “The only thing you have to do is-”

“Support them.. I know but..” she sniffled “I want him to be mine. Not let some girl take him away from me.” She said, looking up at Naruto. “But I know I’m not strong like Naruko… I’m not strong enough to bring him back. I can’t fight him nor convice him.”

“Don’t bring yourself down.” Naruto told her, placing his hands on her shoulders “You are strong enough! You must be the strongest girl I’ve ever seen! Let alone met.” he cheered, giving her his trademark smile “You shouldn’t be putting yourself down, Sakura-chan.” he said. Sakura’s eyes filled with tears once again and let it all out in her sobbing. Naruto stood there, confused and scared of doing something wrong. He wasn’t good with consoling someone. Only his sister. She was easy, but not Sakura. He never thought he’d have to do that with her. Yeah he felt heart ache for his best friend, but he couldn't do anything about it. He knew this was bothering her for a while and it was nice to get all those unwanted feelings out the way. Sakura was glad her best friend was there for her. Naruto placed a hand on Sakura’s head, smiling.

“You know you can always rely on me, Sakura-chan!” he said, cheery. Sakura just started to laugh, allowing the tears run down her cheeks