Right Here Waiting

So I was listening to the song Right Here by Staind. The words seem to fit Naruto completely when it comes to Sakura. Sometimes I feel so bad for him. He's second best to Sasuke a lot. Especially when it comes to Sakura.

Beta read by nicthepunk and Gaaras1Girl

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I know I've been mistaken, but just give me a break and see the changes that I've made. I've got some imperfections, but how can you collect them all and throw them in my face? -Staind

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"Sakura please," Naruto pleaded. "You just don't understand. I'm not the same little kid I was before I left!"

"You sure haven't shown it," Sakura said quietly as her gaze dropped to the floor.

"You haven't given me the chance to show you!" he nearly shouted, completely exasperated. "You know how the hell I feel!"

She flinched at those words. Naruto's royal blue eyes stared her down; no matter what he said to her, it seemed he wasn't good enough. This time it was because he wasn't "mature" enough for her. Just because he wasn't the type to glare at everyone with hatred written in his eyes didn't mean he was immature. The young male knew how to be happy and knew how to make others feel the same. Naruto refused to be down for long periods of time; he had grown to realize that the hard times would only ebb away with the help of good ones. The Jinchuriki desperately wanted to show her that, but Sakura still wouldn't let him.

Here they were arguing in front of her house with the clouds threatening to spill rain. He searched her face for any sign of...something.

"What about Sasuke?" Sakura questioned, cocking her head to the side.

His face tightened. Sasuke was a dear friend yes, but he didn't give a damn about Sakura and both of them were painfully aware of that. It was hard to call someone a friend when they didn't care if either of them lived or died. That was proven when Sasuke tried killed him.

"What about Sasuke!" he snapped. "Sasuke isn't here Sakura. You and I both know that he doesn't care about you or me! Despite that, I was still going to try my best to bring him back. I made you a promise, but what if he never cares about you?"

Sakura's viridian eyes widened in shock. She smacked Naruto hard across the face, knocking him to the ground with her strength. He stood up and looked at her as he held his cheek, his anger nearly boiling over. It seemed he was always second to Sasuke in everything. Even though he poured his feelings out to her, she brushed them off...just like Sasuke had done to her. Despite that, he stayed by her side. He promised to bring back the one person who he envied more than anything. Naruto would always be there for her, sitting on the back burner of her life.

"You think you're the only one that's hurting!" he shouted. "Sasuke was my friend too! I miss him a lot! He was like my brother and to know that I might not have that from him anymore hurts!"

He advanced toward her and looked at the girl who had stolen his heart so many years ago. Abstract pink hair stopped just above her shoulders and those astonishing green eyes stared at him, tears wavering in their brightly lit pools of color.

"You don't know anything Naruto," Sakura responded quietly, lowering her head causing short bangs to cover her eyes. "You don't know how I feel about Sasuke."

He was reaching his limit. Naruto could not believe she said something that damn selfish. Naruto did understand because he felt the same thing for her. The blonde tried to gain her affection, but he was never good enough to have her look his way. She always smiled and pranced around Sasuke, too blinded by her feelings to see that the Uchiha did not return them at all. If she could only see that there was someone who had always been there, looking on as his heart painfully accepted that the person he loved didn't return his feelings.

"I do know Sakura!" he yelled, his fists clenching at his side. Naruto exhaled to calm himself before saying, "You say you love Sasuke and I say I love you. How is that not the same thing?"

Sakura placed her face in her hands and began to sob. "I love him Naruto. I've tried not to, but I do! I do care about you, but I can't forget about Sasuke so easily."

"Oh yeah," he said confidently as he wrapped one arm around her and used the other to tilt her head back. "Then I'll make you forget your love for him by replacing it with mine."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Sakura questioned.

"Let me show you," he said softly as he leaned in to kiss her.

Sakura's eyes widened and she pushed him away. "What are you doing Naruto?!"

He looked at her, the hurt etched deeply in his face as his hand reached towards her. Rejected once more; Naruto was used to being alone from his younger years, but he didn't care about the people who hated him. He was going to prove to them that he was somebody and that was what he did. This however was a completely different situation...He and Sakura had been friends since they were twelve; that was seven years of friendship.

Cerulean orbs continued to watch her. His breathing was coming in shallow gasps, making it obvious that he was trying not to let his frustrations get the better of him. Sakura really didn't get how much she meant to him.

Naruto took a step forward and she stepped back. He clenched his jaw, not saying anything just yet. He had to make her understand there was no hope for Sasuke ever loving her. Naruto knew she cared about him; she refused to acknowledge him because of those one-sided feelings she had for Sasuke. Why couldn't she see that he loved her for who she was? Naruto accepted every aspect of her: her quirks, her flaws, and her mistakes.

"Why can't you accept me Sakura?" he asked angrily. "Everything I need is in you." He took a step forward. "Don't you know I would die for you?"

Sakura began to cry harder. "I know Naruto but-"

"You know Sasuke wouldn't, don't you?" Naruto interrupted, advancing on her again. "You know he doesn't love you at all, but I love you unconditionally and I always have, Sakura."

The rain began to fall heavily, but Naruto didn't budge. He had to get it through her head even if he had to stand out there all night. He would always wait for her, but that didn't make it easy to see her blindly chasing after someone who didn't feel the same.

Naruto's face hardened. This was the first time he could say he was truly pissed off at Sasuke. It was his fault that his heart had been splintered when he took off for Orochimaru, his fault that the pieces were crushed when Sasuke attempted to kill him, and his fault that Sakura wanted nothing but friendship from him. Naruto wasn't sure if he meant that, but right now that's how he felt. Sakura was like the blood that flowed through his veins, without it he would die. She was like the air he breathed, without it, he would suffocate. She ignited him on levels he didn't understand, but he needed her to explain it to him.

Watery irises gazed up at him when he stood in front of her once more. He grasped her shoulders lightly, seriousness etching his features. "What do I have to do to prove myself Sakura?"

Her gaze turned hard and she looked away. "Bring Sasuke back."

He stepped back and released her, her words cutting his already fragile soul into ribbons. He realized now that her excuse wasn't because he was childish. The real reason was staring him in the face, mocking him. He knew that, but to hear it like this was something different.

"I already know it isn't because I'm 'immature'," Naruto said, locking his eyes with hers. "You're angry with me for not bringing Sasuke back yet, but Sakura, I'm fucking trying! I really am!"

Sakura wiped her eyes. "I know Naruto and I thank you for it."

Naruto was completely soaked now. He dropped his head and said barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry that I couldn't bring him back, Sakura."

Naruto turned to walk away. This was his best friend and the one who meant the most to him. How could she act like that towards him? It was painful enough to have Sasuke abandon him, but to have this girl reject him as well... He was so broken that it even showed in the way he walked. If that was the way she wanted things to be, then who was he to stop her? Above anything, Naruto just wanted Sakura happy...whether that was with him or not. The Jinchuriki only moved a few feet before slipping in a small puddle. He sank to his knees his hands clenching once more.

"Damn it!" he screamed at the top off his lungs, slamming his fists against the ground.

He wept harder than he ever had in his whole life. Harder than when he realized no one would give him the time of day as a child, harder than when Gaara died, even harder than when he failed to retrieve Sasuke. It seemed that it didn't matter what he said, her mind was set. She was going to ignore his feelings because of the raven-haired rogue ninja.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to his left to see Sakura kneeling beside him. His eyes were puffy and his breath was coming in hitches so hard that he could hardly say her name.

"Sa-kur-a," he said between breaths.

"I'm so sorry Naruto," she whispered. She pulled him to his knees and hugged him tightly. "I really do feel the same."

He was dumbfounded. "What?"

Sakura buried her face in his shoulder. "You've always been there for me no matter what happened. It was you who stayed by my side and put away your feelings for me. When I saw you walking away, it brought back memories of the day he left." Sakura held him tighter. "I can't have you leave my life too."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, but then he smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She finally understood. Even if she didn't love him, at least she cared.

"I love you," he said into her wet hair.

"I love you too."

He pulled her to arm's length. "What did you say?"

Sakura smiled warmly at him, brushing her darkened locks out of her face. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought her face closer to his. Deep blue orbs searched sharp green ones and Naruto found what he was looking for: the feelings he always knew were there. He longed to see them and here they were staring back at him openly.

"I said I love you," she repeated softly.

"I'm glad," he whispered as he leaned in to kiss her again.

This time she did not pull back. Naruto's hand locked behind her head and the other hooked around to her hip. Petite, gloved hands moved to the sides of his face in order to deepen their kiss. Naruto couldn't express how he was feeling right now. It wasn't a "jump for joy" sensation like he thought it would be if she ever accepted him; it was more of a feeling of victory. He was glad to know that she felt the same way he did and understood why she was so confused: Sakura was in love with the both of them.

Naruto smiled when they pulled back. He would just have to outshine Sasuke by returning her love. Sakura got to her feet and he followed suit, eyes locked on the pretty girl in front of him. They were soaked to the bone from the rain, but that did nothing to hinder her beauty.

The Hokage's apprentice held her hand out to him and he grasped it tightly with a smile. They walked together into her home and Naruto immediately began shivering from the chilly air.

"Got anything dry I can put on?" Naruto asked. "It's freezing."

Sakura turned and looked at him, giving him a smile and expression that was different than usual. Without a word, the kunoichi moved down the hallway leading him farther into her home, finally reaching a door that was slightly ajar. He guessed it belonged to Sakura from the many medical scrolls and different books, but Naruto didn't know why they were there. Maybe they were going to get some dry clothes or something. He was completely taken aback when she began to kiss him again, but he complied eagerly. The blonde always yearned to kiss his best friend and now that it was possible (without him getting a broke limb in return), he would do so until Sakura grew annoyed and told him to stop. Calloused hands took their place along the medic's back once more, enjoying the felt of her body herself against him.

Naruto felt a strange sensation building in his lower abdomen. He knew that feeling: his body was responding to Sakura's touch. The Jinchuriki never had sex before, but he would figure it out if that was where this was going.

Timidly using his tongue to open her mouth, the new lovers deepened their kiss, Naruto's eyes shooting open when Sakura's small hand ran down his back and playfully squeezed his ass. A shocked expression crossed the boy's features while his new lover laughed at the face he made. The spiky haired shinobi couldn't help but grin in response. So she wanted to play like that, did she?

Naruto turned Sakura around, molding himself against her and reaching between their bodies to place a hand on her bottom. His lips moved near her ear when a cute little gasp escaped her soft lips. "I can play that game too."

Chuckling before turning back around, Sakura brought their mouths together once more. Naruto's hand timidly squeezed the soft flesh of her bottom, still trying to grasp the situation. Never would he have thought that he would be able to touch her in such intimate ways. Naruto was enjoying it and his body was growing to dangerous temperatures because of the touches. Now he could understand what the Pervy Sage felt about women and their assets.

The future Hokage guided Sakura to her bed before laying her down. He leaned over the female, studying the features he always found beautiful. A kiss was dropped tenderly her cheek, then her nose, and finally her forehead. Naruto felt her tense at the last kiss and knew why.

"Sakura," he said gently. "I've always liked your forehead."

She smiled at him gratefully. "Thank you Naruto."

He returned it and it began to dawn on him just how tightly her wet clothes clung to her. They were going to soak her bed if they didn't do something about it so Naruto got off, pulling the kunoichi to her feet. Naruto gazed at her deeply as he began to unzip her jacket, noticing that her eyes were watching as the zipper came to a stop. When Sakura looked back up at him, she slowly pushed the jacket off her shoulders, exposing a black bra.

Naruto didn't know how to take the damned thing off, but he would rip it in half in order to see her exposed to him. Sakura picked up on the possible destruction of her bra and removed it herself, shivering at the cool air of the room. Naruto quickly unzipped his jacket as well, tossing it eagerly on the floor, and removing the tank top from his body. He pulled her close to him once more.

"Naruto," Sakura said softly as her hands began to gingerly trace his back.

When she said his name like that, it excited him immensely. His pants were fitting way too tight now that his shaft had been awakened. The feel of her nipples perked because of the cold air and rubbing against him caused amazing friction. Before he could stop himself, Naruto released her and boldly placed his hands on the delicate mounds. She gasped and leaned into his embrace.

"More Naruto," she panted softly, her breath fanning against his neck.

He complied and massaged them gently, leaning down to kiss her neck and lick the spot gently. Sakura moaned in return; the hairs on the back of his neck stood up at the sound.

"Damn it Sakura. You're going to drive me insane making noises like that."

He worked his hands more firmly over her breasts and thumbed her nipples. She moaned again causing Naruto to hiss and press his erection into her lower stomach.

Sakura pulled away from him and moved over to a mattress that was on the floor, lying on it and motioned a finger at Naruto. He came and crawled over her, kissing her mouth tenderly and set to work at exploring her body. Shoes were kicked off and Naruto returned his attention to her chest after their momentary pause. He liked the way they looked; it was like they were made for sucking and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Naruto leaned his mouth down, curling his tongue around her left nipple. The pink-haired female gasped when he took it into his mouth and sucked hungrily at it.

Naruto was enjoying this, but mainly because it was Sakura who he was doing it with. He couldn't do these types of things to any other girl, but her. He loved her and he wanted to bring her not only happiness, but pleasure too.

"Sakura," came the husky voice as he moved down, kissing her belly button.

Naruto paused to look up at her, refusing to go any farther if she didn't want to. Waiting wasn't a problem if she wasn't ready, but when Sakura nodded, he gingerly peeled off her wet skirt and black thigh leggings. After prepping himself for the next step, Naruto's shaky hands pulled off her dark colored underwear. Curious blue irises studied the part of female anatomy he never seen before. It looked a little weird, but Naruto longed for it all the same, craved it almost. His manhood was so hard that it hurt.

Sakura blushed at being exposed to her teammate. No one ever saw her naked and she was silently self-conscious, but Naruto saw the look on her face.

"I'll love every part of you Sakura," he said softly as he kissed her again.

The young male put his head between his lover's legs, spreading them slightly so he could get a better look at this part of her body. His breath moved over her womanhood and he felt her twitch slightly each time.

I wonder if...

He licked her and she bucked hard. "Naruto!"

He looked up at her. "What?"

"Don't stop," she whispered as she fell back onto the bed, hair fanning out prettily.

He did it again, licking every part within his reach. Sakura moaned his name loudly as he became acquainted with her body. Naruto used his entire mouth against her and she became a writhing mess underneath him. He noticed when he first started that she was wet down there. It wasn't rain water, but was something else; something he knew he wanted to taste over and over again.

"Naruto," the medic panted, her chest rising and falling quickly. "Please."

He stopped and removed his own pants and boxers after unwrapping his bandages. Sakura's eyes locked on his freed manhood and she looked at it strangely as if the medic inside her disappeared. "That's supposed to fit inside me?"

"I guess so," Naruto answered. "This is your first time?"

Sakura nodded shyly, cheeks flushing a darker shade of pink. Naruto found it cute that she was shy now. She never acted like this before when it came to him.

"Well I've never done this either," he responded. "So we're both giving each other something special."

"You're right," she answered. "Okay Naruto, look and see where the hole is underneath the little nub. That is where you have to put it."

Naruto looked and his eyes widened. "That hole is tiny!"

Sakura chuckled at his innocence. "It stretches."

Naruto positioned himself and looked down at her in question. She nodded and he pushed forward slowly. She winced and tears ran down her face as inch after inch stretched her uncomfortably. Once he was fully in, he paused for a moment. "Are you okay Sakura?"

"Yes, Naruto," she answered as she wiped away her tears and breathed deeply. "Just give me a moment."

"I love you," he said seriously.

"I love you too," she responded.

After a few moments, she told him he could move and when he did, the most amazing feeling engulfed him. This sex thing was incredible! She was so tight around him, her walls clenched him each time he pulled out and pushed forward. His instincts had taken over and he was rocking a gentle pace until Sakura got used to it.

"Faster Naruto," she ordered.

"Already getting pushy," the Leaf Ninja mumbled before smirking, moving his hips faster and grasping her shoulders. She wrapped her legs and around his waist and clawed at his back forcefully.

Naruto winced before looking down at the moaning pink haired girl as her face contorted with passion. This was his. All of her belonged to him and he wouldn't allow Sasuke to have her. Not in a million years.

He continued his pace and they made love long into the morning hours.

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Naruto had been told there was urgent new from the Hokage and was now on his way to her office. He immediately headed over, hoping she wasn't giving him another low ranked mission. On his way, Sakura met up with him and a content male stopped to lay a kiss on her mouth. It had been a few months since their first night together and now they were dating. Sure they still acted like friends, Naruto saying something stupid and Sakura hitting him across the back of the head for it, but behind closed doors was when the beasts inside them were unleashed.

"Granny Tsunade wanted to see you too?" Naruto asked as they climbed the stairs of the Hokage mansion.

"Yeah," Sakura responded, a thoughtful expression over her soft features. "She said it was urgent."

Naruto felt a giddy smile break over his face and he couldn't stop himself from jogging to get there faster. "Well come on, let's see what it is."

They burst through her office door and stopped in their tracks.

"It's been a while, Naruto, Sakura."

"Sa...Sasuke?" Sakura asked incredulously, jade eyes wide in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"I have come home," the dark-haired male answered, opaque eyes gazing at them steadily. "I have been working to find information on the Akatsuki; now have everything I need to know. The only one left to take out is Madara."

"What?" Naruto asked in confusion as he raked a hand through his blonde spikes. "So after Itachi died, you just wanted to gather information?"

"Yes," he responded, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Now that I have, I gave it to the Hokage and I, along with my teammates, will help you fight against him."

Sakura stared at Sasuke in shock. There he was in the flesh standing right in front of them just out of the blue. It was a shock, but that didn't stop the young girl from running up to him and hugging him tightly. He looked down at her, allowing his body to be pressed against hers.

"I've missed you," she said quietly.

"Hn," he responded, gaze moving over to Naruto.

Naruto was looking at the sight before him in disbelief. So this was it. Her feelings for Sasuke hadn't vanished...they were still there. The Jinchuriki growled in anger and nosily exited the office.

To Be Continued...