For Naruto and Sakura, love was wonderful.
There were many ups and downs (such as the occasional whacking because Naruto spoiled the mood for kissing), but their relationship worked in the best ways. He complimented her as much as she kept him in line. She gave him as much love and attention as he showered on her. The world couldn't have kept them apart. After so many trials and terrors, NaruSaku's ship sailed proudly, its pink and orange colored sails mixing instead of clashing.
Hand and hand, the two strolled down the street, Sakura hiding her smile as Naruto told her another corny joke, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement as he gently squeezed her hand. "And....eto...I...don't remember how it ends, y'know...."
The embarrassed tone in his voice caused Sakura to smile and shake her head. "You could've at least remembered where the joke was going, Naruto!"
"Yeah, well!" His attempt at a comeback was lost in the wind as he pouted. "I just wanna make you laugh, Sakura-chan."
The pinkette puffed out her cheeks. "Well...I guess it's okay that you forgot then. It worked, after all."
For Sasuke and Karin, love was still complicated.
They had not yet resolved all of their past issues; Karin was far too stubborn to be so easily swayed (which was a good trait to have with Sasuke as an admirer) and Sasuke was forced to let go of his foolish ideals about what to "say". Words were important, no matter how much he hated to admit it (as he hated to admit a lot of things, especially when he was wrong about them). To see, he realized, had been his lesson as well, not only Sakura's.
He was wrong, though. Karin did need him, even if it wasn't in a physical sense. There was an empty part, a stable part that she needed; Sasuke could easily give her what she needed, security....love. The Uzumaki had relied solely of her own will for too long and she was beginning to become a jaded konoichi.
As the snow fell between them, the two passed one another as strangers, the brunette's fingers gently brushing against Karin's in passing, and though neither turned to greet the other, a smile pulled at the corners of either mouth.
"Baka." Each concluded, and they continued on their own paths, their hopes and dreams lingering in the upcoming holiday.
