[ The words had been heard before, had been thrown in his direction without a second thought-- manipulation, in desperation to both trick and save him. In a bout of confidence built up by the kunoichi who wanted nothing but to do right by the boy who had tried so hard for her all his life. Beautifully reckless, the syllables rolled off her tongue, voice as soft and silk, melodious like the most beautiful of songs played for the enjoyment of the world.
Despite how much the words were wished to be true, there would always be a lingering doubt when stated towards him, that day like a plague. Not only had he been lied to, but the woman in which had said the words had nearly met her demise. All due to a promise-- due to something long overlooked; something Naruto would hold regret to for the rest of his existence. He wanted to believe it wasn't a lie, but deep down, in the depths of logic, there would never be a moment in which victory was his. ]
[ The words were said calmly, not a trickle of anger seeping through, smile curling across tanned cheeks-- the gesture absolutely genuine. Naruto had grown to understand meanings during his time training, throughout the deaths of his comrades. Maturing had occurred beyond the teen's knowledge, and it had become much simpler to come to terms with the inevitable.
The words would no longer haunt him-- would no longer play the role of predator. They would be a hollow promise, something with the urge to be true, just not at that point; not quite reaching, not quite making the contact needed in order to fulfill the meaning. ]
But that's okay, Sakura-chan-- because I love you. I always will. & you know how that old saying goes ; if you love someone, you have to let them go.
[ There would never be a solemn silence between the two, would never be lies and slander-- two broken hearts mending through the simplicity of overused terms of endearment. Naruto could live with that, though, could live with the hope of something to come. ]
