Chapter 31

"Alright we're here," said Sasuke. Removing apart the leaves that are blocking the view.

There starts to be a glimpse of light coming through shining away the darkness of the forest. Walking closer and closer to that light Sakura finds herself drawn in to a spectacular scene.

Under the blue moonlight there were also many smaller sized lights flying around. "These are fireflies!"

It was a breathtaking sight as hundreds upon hundreds of fireflies lit up the place. The place seems so foreign and different from Konoha. It was a place just for them two.

"Wow it's so beautiful," putting her hand out as a firefly lands on her finger. With its tail part emitting light that blossoms into something truly amazing. Before setting off for the air again.

"Happy Birthday Sakura," Sasuke said smiling brightly.

"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun I was so rude to you back there," Sakura said apologizing.

"Sakura I want to give you this," said Sasuke taking out a pouch.

"What is it," she asked with curiosity.

" Close your eyes," he said to her.

"What is it? Fine I'll close my eyes," she said as she closes her eyes in wait.

"Make sure to don't peak," said Sasuke, "alright you can open your eyes now."

"Hm? A necklace?" Finding a special necklace around her neck. With the pendant in a heart shape completed with small white diamonds covered around it.

Her heart melting with warmth as she observe the intricacies that it must had took to forge it. Looks up at his face Sakura said, "It's really beautiful I don't know what to say."

"I do," Sasuke said embracing her into his arms, "no matter what happens, for the rest of my life I'll always love you. Like this necklace my heart will always belong to you."

She didn't say anything taking her arms to wrap around his back. Closing her eyes feeling the calm serenity of tonight. A night which she always remembered.

…

The next day in class Iruka-sensei announced to the students that test subject would be the 'Shadow Clone Technique'.

Of course Sasuke was not bothered the slightest because he already mastered this skill a long time ago.

Though this is obviously not the case for Naruto who looked over at him with pitiful eyes. It was though his face was convey, 'Sasuke please help me!'

Looking at his expression Sasuke squinted his eyes looking away. Indicating to him a sub communication of, 'Told you so, can't help you on that.'

The students entered one by one into the classroom, with my enthusiastic faces coming out wearing a ninja headband covering their foreheads.

After Naruto went into the classroom he came out with his head down looking really depressed.

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata who already passed the test came over wanting to encourage him.

"I'm okay Hinata! No matter what I won't give up on being a ninja you better believe it," Naruto said forcing a bright smile on his face.

Sakura also walked over to encourage him, "Don't give up Naruto! We'll wait for you." Since Sakura has been frequently hanging out with Sasuke the two frequently goes to Naruto home to have dinner.

These past months that has been drawn by Sakura got to know Naruto in a better way. She got to know just how strong and persevering he is inside. Sort of inspiring her to also become stronger to stay by Sasuke's side.

"Naruto do you believe me," Sasuke came over asking him. Putting his hand on his shoulder in a reassuring way. "Tonight you will become a true ninja."

"Huh?" Naruto was confused by what Sasuke just said to him. Though instead of explain Sasuke walked away with Sakura waving his hand goodbye from the back.

"That show off!" Naruto smiled saying. Looking up at the sun with expectation for the future.

Although he may not have graduated he knew he has found a group of people who cares about him. This is much more valuable than anything else in comparison.

…

A day a later Naruto arrived at the academy classroom this time with a head protector wrapped on his forehead. His smile is brighter than usual.

"Sasuke I graduated!!" Running over to where Sasuke is sitting Naruto hugged him with a sense of thankfulness.

"Idiot stop!! Only girls can hug me," Sasuke tried to push away Naruto from continue smooching on his face.

Today he is my guarded than usual, because today is the day when Naruto would steal his 'first kiss'. He is anything but fine with getting kissed on the lips by Naruto.

Sakura who was standing in front of Sasuke knocked on Naruto's head for interrupting she and Sasuke's sweet talk. "Naruto stop taking advantage of my Sasuke-kun," she said as if she's proclaiming her own territory.

"What do you mean your 'Sasuke-kun'? We were best buddies even before you came in interrupting us," said Naruto boasting with proudness.

Sasuke and Hinata who was also sitting at the table looked at each other with an understanding expression. Don't know whether to call them both a fool or not.

"Naruto how dare y—," before Sakura could say anything she felt something from behind knocking over.

In the next second all hell broke loose. The whole entire classroom turned so silent you could even hear a pin drop. Though in the next second it is filled with loud chatter.

Sasuke find that today his first kiss is staled by Sakura! With their soft lips touching Sasuke could feel his heart thumping really fast. He turned his face away blushing in silence.

"Sasuke-kun that was really an accident, I'm so sorry," Sakura apologized noticing the awful blush on Sasuke's cheeks.

Though inside she's screaming like she's having a blast from that accident, 'Yes!! I finally steal Sasuke's first kiss Woohoo!! Thank you God/Buddha.'

"What!! Sakura took away Sasuke-kun's first kiss," a girl said as she sulked.

'Sakura!! I have enough of your plots,' thought Ino with her hands rained in a fist.

"Looks like they will be closer than before," joined another classmate.