Another point (while still trying to steer discussion away from this blasted movie) I've been thinking about is the nature of Sakura's feelings.
Again, I am not denying she loves Sasuke, but I have to think about the nature of them and what she even likes about him. I mean, I believe Sakura's feelings for Sasuke stemmed from her own insecurities and need for acknowledgement, and getting that acknowledgement from arguably the most attractive boy in your class (and most talented) would have been something that would have satisfied Sakura very much, so i think in the end that her love developed from that need for acknowledgement after starting with nothing. Her insecurity has been a major part of her character.
Normally we tend to mistake the infatuation, lust and overall intensity of those feelings for love, especially with our first love, and I think that is what happened with Sakura and why she held onto it for so long. The intensity of those feelings manifested when Sakura desperately tries to get Sasuke to stay, even going as far as to help him with his revenge or forsake the entire village just to be with him. That and I believe Sakura fell in love with the idea of who Sasuke was than the actual Sasuke who is very different. Ultimately, it would have been the worst decision of her life, but the intensity of her feelings overruled any sort of logic and thinking, and for someone that is meant to be one of the smartest characters in the series, that makes sense to some extent.
I believe what Sakura in the end wanted from Sasuke is not something he could offer her simply because it's not a part of his character, who is very goal orientated. He can't offer her love, affection, acknowledgment and care because that's not who he is. He also doesn't feel that way about her and her actions do nothing but annoy the hell out of him. That and her actions and understanding towards Naruto and the lengths she'd go to for his happiness speaks louder to me about how she feels about him than the words she says towards Sasuke. In the end, her words meant something to her and ultimately was not something that could reach Sasuke.
We then have a woman who has spent a lot of time with a boy that loves her. She understands him and his capabilities and would willingly sacrifce her own happiness if it meant releasing Naruto of his struggles and demons. This was the intention of the "fake" confession, but Kishimoto screwed it all up with the words he chose and did nothing but worsen the perception and credibility of the relationship and her character in general. Her intentions were selfless in nature, but terrible in execution.
Naruto and Sakura are not too different in that aspect where they would sacrifice their own happiness if it meant the other was happy. Whether you believe it or not, Sakura flat out gave up on the man "she loves" and chose Naruto, and even if it wasn't something she was happy with, if it meant Naruto wasn't struggling with the promise, then it took priority over her own feelings, just like the promise of a lifetime. There was also visible sadness when the other is down, Sakura supporting his dream to be hokage and pulling out all the stops to keep him alive so he could achieve it. That is why I think NaruSaku has a better foundation for a lasting relationship than garbage like SasuSaku which does nothing but drag Sakura's feelings and character through the mud, and has a character that wouldn't care whether she lived or died. For whatever "hidden" feelings Sasuke might have for Sakura, he's done a pretty bad job at showing it (or Kishimoto has).
Maybe that was Kishimoto was going for? Cause idk Sakura's love for Sasuke having no real basis or elaboration compared to the other ships is something I find strange. If after all this SasuSaku becomes canon it'd be the worst relationship to ever happen in shounen imo.
Edited by Silent Storm, 27 October 2014 - 10:42 PM.