Even the Darkest Place Has Light. Walk a Little Farther, and I'll Be Waiting for You

The silence only added to the ambiguity, and she felt a growing sense of nervousness creeping over her.

The warm Kakkō remained steady, Sakura's hands, facing the fire, felt slightly hot. Her mind was filled with all sorts of random thoughts, and her face was flushed red from the heat.

She was actually a little worried, after all, she had never experienced those things before. But she just wanted to give herself to him, even if it wasn't complete, even if it was just half of him.

Girls her age all have their own support, but Sakura has none. If Naruto ever ignores her again, she'll leave nothing behind in this world.

Memories return to the original body, consciousness merges, and there is actually no difference between that and death.

The night sky above the dome was pitch black, like a huge black gemstone. It looked like a large bowl turned upside down, gazing equally at everyone.

"Naruto!" she suddenly called out to him.

"Um?"

"Do you think we're considered together now?"

Naruto remained silent. He had never been in a relationship with anyone. The relationship was vague and undefined, but it was a matter of companionship. He had done everything he could, but he had never said anything about being together.

A large part of his heart was always reserved for Ino and Hinata, for those unique summers he spent with Hinata and the warm winters he spent with Ino.

In early spring and late autumn, all he ever considered was the feelings of the two women. Call him a jerk, he really was; he was also moved Tayuya liked Tayuya.

But whether it's Kazahana Koyuki, Anko, Tayuya, Temari, they can only occupy a small part of my heart. Sakura is slightly better off than them; she's experienced more and carries more weight in my heart.

Seeing that Naruto didn't speak, Sakura smiled, pursing her lips. Although she was smiling, there wasn't a trace of joy in her eyes. She tilted her head back and blinked away her tears.

Others might have been crying their eyes out, but Sakura wouldn't; she would hold back her tears. It's just her personality—her emotions rise and then are quickly suppressed.

"You're different; you've been together for a long time." His eyes were bright.

I don't know why, and it wasn't out of sympathy, but Naruto suddenly said that. Perhaps it was the truth, or he didn't want to deceive himself, or maybe he was starting to care about Black Sakura.

"Since you say so, then I believe you," Sakura said with a smile.

Naruto remained noncommittal; he wouldn't take back what he'd said. The future had already changed beyond recognition in the past six years, and he could no longer see where it would lead.

But he had a gut feeling that if he didn't give up on Black Sakura now, she wouldn't give up on him in the future. Fate is a mysterious thing; no one can say for sure.

Perhaps because she learned from Tsunade, Sakura is not childish; she possesses a boldness and charm that is beyond her years, unlike other girls her age.

In layman's terms, it's about having a "wifely" aura—a mysterious and elusive quality. It's not that only married women possess this aura, nor does every married woman necessarily have it.

Mature and elegant, charming without being vulgar – that's the essence.

For example, a beautiful young woman might coldly indifferent to everyone else, yet reveal her captivating charm only in front of you, like a delicate rose about to bloom with dew. Even opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue is a unique kind of allure.

It's highly likely that spending so much time with Tsunade has given Sakura a natural, mature, and alluring charm when she laughs.

He laughed along, but after a while, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

She had never smiled like that before. Naruto looked up at Sakura again and caught the deep emotion in her eyes. He immediately understood what was going on.

Everything will fall into place tonight; who knows what tomorrow will bring?

He wasn't exactly nervous, and he wasn't a complete novice. He had Tayuya, but unfortunately Tayuya.

Actually, he didn't feel anything. Tayuya left too quickly, and he felt like he was just a tool. It's not really his fault; either he was exceptionally gifted, or Tayuya was too weak.

But this was also Tayuya's first time, and although it was hard work, she was quick every time. To give an example, she could do it several times in just a few seconds.

However, the world is so big that it's understandable that some isolated cases might occur.

Even after rounding up, he was still a little uneasy. If Sakura was like Tayuya, then his extraordinary talent would be confirmed. But damn it, that wouldn't be a good thing either.

Deva Path does not allow large-scale communal sleeping arrangements; kill them all if you see one.

He vaguely remembered the old fantasy novels he read before his transmigration, the scenes of which were incredibly intense. If the Harmonious Divine Beast were to descend, it would surely wreak havoc and dominate the ages.

My thoughts went through a complicated process, but in reality, it was only a fleeting moment.

"Why would I need to lie to you?" Naruto replied.

Upon hearing this, Sakura smiled, pursed her lips, lowered her head slightly, and continued.

"Sometimes I think about how nice it would be if the two of us could be alone. But every time we have that opportunity, the timing never seems quite right."

"If you don't have me in your heart, it doesn't matter how close we are when we stand in front of each other."

"Sakura-nii, what you're saying is outrageous." Naruto interrupted her spellcasting and said seriously, "Don't you know what our relationship was like before?"

"How many times was the water you handed me clean?"

"Besides."

"Okay, I was wrong too." Sakura looked a little embarrassed and covered her face with her hands as she said, "Those things were my fault, but I stopped doing those things later."

"Haven't you heard the saying 'Once bitten by a snake, twice shy'? A lasting trauma takes time to heal," he said. "Besides, back then you..."

Seeing that Naruto was about to make another sarcastic remark, Sakura quickly Teuchi.

"Stop talking."

"Can't I say anything?" he asked in surprise. "You did it, so I can't say anything?"

"No way!" Sakura pouted. "I used to wear short skirts in the summer, and you saw it, but you were only looking at my legs. You always seem more energetic when I wear black stockings, or..."

"Ahem, there's no need to bring up the past." Naruto was a little embarrassed, his face showing some awkwardness.

No one can compare to Hinata in terms of figure, but Ino has the edge when it comes to feet, and Sakura's legs are truly exceptional. Enveloped in black stockings, their allure is undeniable.

"Ha, men." Sakura sneered inwardly, but there was nothing she could do about this scoundrel.

"Actually, every time I pretend not to care, I really want to go shopping with you openly and honestly, wearing nice clothes," she continued, her eyes fixed on the Kakkō.

"We can be together in the summer, and we can be together in the winter. Doing silly things, even if it's just wasting time, is meaningful. Building snowmen, basking in the sun."

"I dream of living that kind of life, but I know it's impossible. You still have Hinata Ino, they will be there for you to do those things."

"Naruto Uzumaki, you're a real scumbag."

"But I can't even let you be a jerk just once, I can't be with you forever. Maybe next time, or sometime, it'll all be over."

"I won't force you to do things that I can't do."

Sakura looked up at Naruto with a smile, the Kakkō dancing in her pupils. Her watery eyes reflected his face, overflowing with emotion.

The tone was cheerful, but it sounded like she was saying, "You won't see me again next time."

Naruto was clearly taken aback for a moment, and his gaze towards Sakura became slightly complicated. Judging by actions rather than intentions, although he did want to avoid Black Sakura at that time, he didn't go all the way.

That led to a turning point, and things seem to be going quite well now.

But Naruto is still Naruto, carefree and reckless, having completely forgotten all the unpleasant things from the past. What's done is done, there's nothing more to say.

The atmosphere grew cold again, and the two remained silent.

Sakura pursed her lips, her gaze returning to the fire. The firewood in the fire was charred black, glowing red in the Kakkō, and turning a bright yellow towards the top.

A torch burned the firewood clean, sparks flying everywhere with a crackling sound.

Naruto thought for a moment, then with a snap, threw the last piece of firewood into the fire and stood up abruptly. Sakura was startled by his sudden movement and looked up at him sharply.

"Come with me, I'll take you somewhere."

After saying that, he walked straight into the darkness. Sakura was taken aback for a moment, but quickly got up and followed him.

"Are you familiar with this area?" she asked as she caught up with him.

"I've been here quite a few times, for all sorts of missions. Sometimes I'd spend months in the desert." Naruto's voice was somewhat cold, and the night wind made it sound a little seductive.

This is the edge of the desert, where the night is like a pure, flawless gem. The distance is quiet and dim, with sparse grasslands behind it; the further you go, the more desolate it becomes.

Taking advantage of a brief moment when she looked up, Sakura circled around and realized she couldn't find her way north at all. In the vastness of nature, it's easy to lose oneself, feeling as insignificant as a grain of sand.

She was in a daze for a moment, and when she looked ahead again, she found that Naruto had stopped and was waiting for her. He didn't urge her or blame her; he just stood there quietly waiting for her to catch up.

The hazy night sky cast a bluish-black glow on his silhouette, making him look like a flag fluttering in the night wind from a distance.

When she caught up with him, Naruto spoke up.

"Even in the darkness of the desert, there is light. Walk a little further ahead, through this area. Head towards that dark place, do you see that tallest sand dune?"

"I saw it." Sakura nodded.

There really was a huge sand dune in the distance; it looked like a massive black shadow if you didn't look closely. This magnificent spectacle is unique to the desert; you'd never discover it without a guide.

"Let's go up and take a look," he said, taking Sakura's hand in the process.

Feeling the warmth from her palm, Sakura's body instinctively followed. A gentle warmth spread through her heart, filling her limbs.

Sakura didn't remember how long they had walked; her hand was always being held, and her feet were firmly planted in the dark desert. Her heart didn't feel panic; instead, it felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

Finally, the two climbed to the top of the sand dune, the sand beneath their feet as cold as ice. At first, there was a beam of light, then large swaths of light leaped into their view.

Before me lay a silent sea of sand, the moonlight and starlight vanished, leaving only a dark blue light enveloping the entire desert. In the distance, there was a cold, clear light; nearby, darkness reigned.

"So beautiful," she murmured.

"It really is beautiful. I've seen it so many times," Naruto said with a smile, pulling Sakura over to hug her and pointing ahead.

"Even in the darkest places there is light. Just keep walking forward, and the light will be on the other side of the sand dune."

"If you ever open your eyes and find yourself surrounded by darkness, unable to find your way out, don't be afraid. Just keep walking forward, and I'll be waiting for you in the place where there is light."

"When you find me, I will take you out."

Sakura could no longer hold back, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She suddenly threw herself into his arms, first suppressing her sobs, and then bursting into loud wails.

He told her not to be afraid, that she would never have to worry about disappearing again, and that even if she were plunged into darkness, she should walk towards the light.

Whether it's true or false is completely irrelevant; she just needs a belief, a belief in living.

"Waaah... I... I never dare to tell anyone, not even... not even my best friends," Sakura said, choking back tears.

"No one has ever said anything like that before. I thought you would be there with me, and I was ready to give it to you."

"You only wanted to have sex with me! Why did you bring me here? Why did you say those things?"

"I'm even more afraid to die! I'm even more afraid of disappearing. If I'm gone, you... you have to find me and bring me back. Okay?"

"Hmm," Naruto replied casually.

Love, in essence, is the meeting of two hearts. It begins with pity; attraction or lust is irrelevant. Actions speak louder than words; what matters most is how one acts.

When one person is trapped in a difficult situation, the other should hold a torch. Tell her that there is light in the sky and I am there for her; I cannot save the world, but I can be her hero.

Why not a hero for one person? Because this person has to be the hero for many people, so many that you can count them on two hands.

Sakura couldn't take it anymore and hugged Naruto, giving him a hot, wet kiss. The sound of water echoed in the vast desert, the night wind howled, and the two held each other tightly.

Back at the tent, Sakura gently nibbled on his earlobe and coaxed him.

"I want to give it to you."

As night fell, the fire, having run out of firewood, had long since died out.

The lights in the tent were turned off. Sakura cried again halfway there, wiping her tears with the back of her hand and biting her lower lip as she spoke.

"I don't know when life will end, but until then, I can do everything I can for you. I love you, and please don't forget me."

"I roughly know why you didn't take me with you this time. I don't want you to take risks for me. You still have Hinata and Ino. Maybe she will fall in love with you in the future."

"After you finish the task, please don't do anything reckless, okay? Let's go back together. I'll eat, sleep, and do my research obediently, and I'll still live a good life. The length of time doesn't matter anymore. You've done so much for me, and I will love you."

"Consider it as me staying by your side forever."

Naruto didn't speak, but he used some force to hold her down, and his mouth moved slightly as he gave a very perfunctory reply.

"Okay, we'll talk about it another time."