A/N: I. Am. So. Utterly. Sorry. I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to let myself go and just not update. FOR A WHOLE EFFIN MONTH. I know, excuses, excuses, but take what I say as you like, I was so busy with college, orchestra, promoting some of the clubs my uncle had, and ending up in the hospital. :( I'm so sorry for leaving the way I did. And I thank you ALL for so many reviews that you've all blessed me with. This, my friends, is where our journey ends in the story of Speak Now. I feel sad but relieved in a way, because this gives me so much more time to work on Never Been Kissed. I hope I didn't lose readers because of the wait. However, I'm happy to move back to humor. Drama, doesn't sit well with me. Haha. In any case, like it? Hate it? It's whatves, please, for the last time, enjoy the last chapter of "Speak Now."
Do Not Own Naruto., Storyline=Mine
Embarrassment. Complete and utter embarrassment was what crept through her mind as she stared out the window. The clock read 4:20 A.M. as she sighed, her leg sticking out of her blanket once again due to the discomfort of the heat that Konoha brought to her. What had happened at the wedding wasn't something she expected. Sure, it would've been, oh I don't know, nice if Sasuke had decided to run after her, but what would that entail for Kana and the rest of the guests? Complexity seemed to weave an interesting thread pattern for her when it involved him. But somehow, she couldn't seem to cut her tie with him altogether. Her bond. It didn't matter if he was a traitor, or closer to Naruto. Hell, it didn't matter that he got married; the point was that she still loved him. Forever and always.
At least she'll keep telling herself that.
She couldn't take it anymore. It was time for her stroll again, and as she sat up on her bed, Sakura deemed that it was now to time to move on. For her sanity, she needed to leave behind the prospect that Sasuke would reciprocate the kind of love she craved and needed. Gripping her sheets, she willed herself to move.
The rush of the river was cool and refreshing as her legs continued to swing in a languid pace. Too many thoughts; too many tears, she clenched her jaw, her green eyes narrowing as she heard someone take a seat next to her. Is this déjà vu? Turning, her eyes widen in surprise as Kana swung her legs in the river as well.
"It's quiet," she whispered, "here in Konoha."
"Can't I go anywhere without the prospect of knowing that you might show up," she didn't care if she hurt her feelings, "can I not just have this one place to myself without you stealing something from me? (Again?)"
Kana didn't say anything, merely swinging her legs as Sakura continued to glare. The silence became unbearable as Sakura stood up, turning around to grab her shoes.
"It was not my intention to hurt you," Kana quietly stated, "he's worried, you know."
She stiffened, unsure of where Kana was heading.
"It's been two weeks since anyone has seen you, Sakura. You have to understand that what Sasuke did wasn't to hurt you. It was to help me."
The kunoichi turned around to face Kana again, "Well that was so nice of him."
With a sarcastic huff she turned around to walk back home, until Kana tugged her back by her wrist. "Listen to me. Sasuke…he…he called off the wedding."
Her ears perked, body stiffening as she Kana said that. Was it true? Could it be that maybe, just maybe, he loved her back? But why trust Kana?
"I know," Kana took her hand away and placed it behind her back, "why trust me? It's just, complicated right now, and you need to talk to him."
"Well you seem okay with this for some odd reason," Sakura arched a brow, "Shouldn't you be mad?"
A soft smile placed upon Kana's lips as she shook her head, "Sasuke was just trying to help me out, but it seemed he just wanted to forget about the person he thought he couldn't have." She shrugged, leaving Sakura to muse in the complexity of the new thread pattern that weaved in front of her.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you're still alive," Ino walked around the counter, squeezing the living daylights out of Sakura. "I was so worried about you."
"I know," she ran her fingers through her pink strands, "I'm sorry for making you worry. I just need some time alone."
Ino nodded, understanding that what happened at the wedding was not only short of embarrassing, it was hurtful to see Sasuke not run after her best friend.
"Speaking of which," Sakura narrowed her eyes at the blonde, "pregnant? Me and Lee getting together?" She placed her hands on her hips.
"Ah, well you see…" Ino's voice squeaked as she backed up, "The wedding needed some spice?"
Sakura rolled her eyes, uncaring of the rumors right now as she took a seat near the counter, leaning her face on her hand as she sighed. "Why did he call off the wedding?"
Ino stopped her trimming on the flowers before facing her best friend. "I'm not the right person to tell you that, Sakura."
"I know, but it'd be better if you tell me," her eyes sparked with excitement, "that way, I won't have to go to him at all."
Ino shook her head, "It doesn't work that way. Love never does."
Since when did the pig get so wise?
He sighed, unable to shake off the headache that began to form. This wasn't how he had meant things to be. How did things get so out of hand anyways? Oh, that's right. He was in love with a certain pink haired, annoying woman, when obviously he told himself not to. Way to go.
"Will you stop moping like a puppy that lost his owner and just go talk to her?" Naruto flipped a page of a flower catalog, eyes lighting up as more orange flowers appeared on the page.
"I am not moping, you idiot," obsidian orbs flickered with annoyance as he clenched his jaw. He wasn't moping. Not that much anyways. He just…assumed that Sakura would talk to him by now and they would happily get together and make those babies.
"Yeah you are," the blonde sighed, "instead of waiting for her, why don't you just knock down her door, take that woman to bed, and get the sexual frustration out? Everyone in Konoha could just feel the radiating sexual tension you have on her. Quite frankly, it's creepy, Teme."
Sasuke gaped at his best friend. Since when did he use the phrase 'Quite frankly?' Never mind that, he had other things to think about. He sighed, unsure of what to say if he did knock down Sakura's door and demanded some sweet, sweet, lovemaking. Oh god, he was turning into Naruto. Shaking his head at how his priorities jumbled up, he only mustered, "Hn" at the blonde before moping again.
"Dude, you can be such a girl sometimes," his cerulean eyes sparked certain amusement, "grow a pair will you?"
"Says the Dobe that happens to be reading a flower catalog," the Uchiha smirked, standing up as he made his way out of the door.
"Hey, this is for my wedding. I have reasons," he retorted angrily at the raven haired man's retreating back, "where are you going?"
"Relieving the sexual tension, idiot," he smirked as he kept walking. He had to talk to Sakura. If only words were that easy to comprehend.
"Sakura, go home," she looked up to see Tsunade, arms cross and leaning against her office. "I don't need you here."
"It's fine," Sakura smiled, "I just need to file these papers and, okay going home."
She shuddered at the look the busty woman gave her and quickly gathered her things. Why couldn't people understand that she was okay with everything that happened? Although Kana told her to see him, it didn't do any good when he wasn't making the effort to see her either. It had been two weeks already, so why should she make the first move? She sighed, bumping into some of the Konoha citizens at the market strip, earning sympathetic glances from those who attended the wedding. Stop staring. Stop staring. She gripped her work bag tighter and shut her eyes, increasing the pace of walking until she bumped, hard, into his chest.
"Hn," his baritone voice rang out…as much as the syllable was able, mind you.
She looked up, unsure of what to say to the man she was trying to avoid this entire time. Instead, she opted for running like always. Until he held her back.
"Let me run damn it," she tried to pull her arm but to no avail. He was just too strong.
"No," he quipped, his voice laced with annoyance, "we need to talk."
"I don't owe you anything for me to have to talk to you," she sneered, trying to yank her arm away.
"Stubborn woman," he muttered as he dragged her to her secret place. Her place to run to at 4:20 A.M. when her leg was sticking out of her blanket and the A/C happened to break. Maybe it was his place as well.
She stomped away from him, taking a seat near the river as she closed her eyes. The rapid beating of her heart became erratic and fierce. She was unsure on how to approach the situation at hand. What would she say? What could she say to him?
"Sakura," he pulled her out of her trance, and took a seat next to her, "I can't show you the affection you crave for."
Her stomach dropped.
"I might not convey my feelings the way you want to because that's not who I am. I can't always hold you at night when you cry over something stupid. I can't whisper sweet things to your ears or express any of the things that I know you wish for in a relationship."
She gritted her teeth as she heard all this. It just wasn't fair.
"But I want to try. For you."
She quickly looked up at him as he turned away, a slight blush creeping upon his neck.
"The whole thing with Kana," he turned to look at her, a wave of unknown emotion in his eyes, "was a way for me to run away from you. As lame as that sounds, you have to understand that you deserve better than me. And if you'll take me, I'm willing to try."
She was at a loss for words. For once, everything that happened didn't seem to matter anymore. The reason he left, the reason he proposed to Kana. Those reasons seemed meaningless. He was willing to try for her. And that was enough.
Leaning against him as her head rested on his shoulder, she smiled. She brought her hand forward and looked up at him, "I'm Sakura Haruno."
He smirked, taking her hand in his as he shook it, "Sasuke Uchiha."
It was a fine, fine day in Konoha.
"May I introduce the new bride and groom," the speaker puffed out, "Mr. and Mrs. Naruto Uzumaki!"
The crowd cheered as the newlyweds made their way down the steps, Hinata blushing furiously as Naruto surprised her with full on lip making out. As the audience began to squirm, she willed herself to push away and flush. Naruto grinned, not only at the fact that he married his soul mate, but the orange flowers he wanted came in.
The music bellowed out a soft melodic tune as people swayed and danced, laughter and cheer spreading as the bride and groom made their way around the table, greeting everyone. When they came to the last table, Naruto couldn't help me snicker at the loving couple before him.
"Stop getting all lovey dovey," he grimaced, "you're making me sick, Teme."
Sasuke glared down the blonde as Sakura congratulated Hinata and hugged Naruto.
"Stop it you two," the pink haired woman sat back down interlacing her hands with Sasuke's. This was complete. This was good.
"So, uh," Naruto scratched the back of his head, "now that you two are finally together, are those babies on their way yet?"
The reception stopped, as the gossip began to ensue.
"Did you hear? Sakura is pregnant with Sasuke's baby!"
"Oh my goodness, dear Sakura is with child, Lee or Sasuke?"
"If you ask me, Sasuke is way hotter."
Oh dear.
A/N: I realize that it may not be super amazing, but I rather liked how it turned out. The thing with Sasuke and Sakura is good to me because I don't want to be overly cliche. It's expected all the time. I wanted something new. So what did you think? Did you like it? Did you hate it? :)
Please tell me your thoughts. And once again, thank you so so so much for reading and reviewing. Check Out Never Been Kissed! 3
xoxo,
piggybank