Well, let me explain myself. I came here for 2 reasons. I wanted to talk among fellow fans, and I wanted to make sure we know what is against us and not be completely oblivious to it. Like it or not, every other pairing has a stance, some stronger than others. Really the main reason, I believe, why narusaku has had the most develoupment is because Sakura is a heroine in her own way and she has had the most time with Naruto. There are obvious romantic moments for Sasusaku, Naruhina, and Narusaku. Those of course being the big 3 that we always talk about. I expect everyone here to focus on Narusaku, but this once don't look at what pairing is most likely going to happen, look at the story as a whole.
Naruto had a crush on Sakura. Over time this crush developed as he realizes how much Sakura means to him. Naruto began to love Sakura, no longer a simple crush. We already know the details so I'll skip them.
The following will be my attempt to make you understand exactly how I feel about this whole thing:
Sakura had a crush on Sasuke. When Sakura and Sasuke were put on the same team things started to change. After multiple times thinking Sasuke had died Sakura was basically traumatized. Her first time ever thinking somebody had died in battle was with Sasuke. Sakura began to care for him, she never wanted anything bad to happen to him. She began to love him. But it wasn't just because he nearly died, it was because Team 7 were all friends, they trusted each other. When Sakura saw Sasuke leaving her memories of almost losing Sasuke kicked in and she wouldn't accept it. She couldn't let it happen again, she had to do everything to keep Sasuke in her life. Ultimately she failed. She couldn't do anything to prevent her from losing Sasuke again, she felt powerless, useless. Naruto couldn't help it when he felt that same pain, not only was Sasuke his best friend but losing him caused Sakura pain. Naruto took on Sakura's pain, along with his own. Naruto's burden would be enough to break most people, but he endured for Sasuke, and for Sakura.
Time Skip!!!
Shortly after coming home to the leaf, Naruto's peace is quickly overtaken by his burdens. Sasuke arrives. The truth is revealed like a knife in the back. Sasuke doesn't care about anything but revenge. He is hatred in it's purest form. Sasuke is nothing like the friend and comrade they once knew. Naruto and Sakura know this. They realize what there friend has become. Sasuke! The same guy who they had all those fun times with. The same guy who has saved there lives. The same guy they trust! Evil. Consumed by hatred. The only thing that keeps them going is that he can still be saved.
Time Skip!!!
Sasuke has finally done it, he has achieved his life goal. He killed his own brother. The man who has his entire clan's blood on his hands. The man who betrayed everyone he loved, for a "challenge". Itachi the traitor of the Uchiha is dead by Sasuke's hands. Sasuke has brought justice to his clan. He has surpassed his brother and restored his clan. Or so he thought. Sasuke's purpose in life is complete, he has no reason to live. All the years of loneliness, of hatred, are done. But hes not happy, all there is now is another dead body on the ground. He shows no happiness, only accomplishment. He's finally done. But that wasn't it. There was more, much more. Itachi did what had to be done. He killed his family who had raised him, trained him, and loved him. He killed his lover, his best friend, his neighbohr, his cousin, his rival, EVERYONE he cared about. And he did it for the leaf. Itachi lost everything but his brother. Itachi couldn't do it. He would have to live with his entire clan haunting him, taunting him. But he couldn't kill his little brother. Itachi took on an unthinkable guilt. He had put himself into pure sorrow so that the leaf could live. He was willing to accept the hatred of everyone, willing to bear an unthinkable guilt, willing to do anything to save the leaf. But he just couldn't kill his brother. He was willing to have the most important person in his life hate him. He wanted the best for Sasuke, even if that means he will be eternally hated for it. But Itachi's only fear had come. Sasuke learned the truth. Everything Sasuke has done was a lie. A lie to protect him. Sasuke killed Itachi. Itachi, who gave everything for the leaf only to be called a traitor. Itachi, who's love for him was so strong he couldn't hurt him, even if it ment being hated. And Sasuke knows. He knows everything now. There is only one option that is clear to him. Revenge.
Time Skip!!!
Sasuke refuses Itachi's wishes for him to live happy. Sasuke has acted on his revenge and now he can never go back. Sasuke attacked the Kage. Sasuke committed a crime against all of the Shinobi nations that is punishable by death. Sakura now believes the burden she put on Naruto will never be gone. Sasuke is no longer a friend, he is something else entirely. Sasuke is a beast of hatred, that can never change. Sakura can still remember her old love, she can remember how much they cared for eachother. Sakura would kill the person she loves, finally ending his misery, and the burden she has put on Naruto. By doing so she gives up the 2 most important people in her life. She tries to explain to Naruto, but Naruto saw right through her. So she acted. But when it was finally time to pull the trigger, she couldn't do it. She was almost the exact mirror of Itachi. Naruto didn't give up as easily as Sakura did, because he can't. Naruto's ninja way is something he carrys with him to the grave. Sakura knew that, and that's why she had to deceive him. In the end, Naruto knew what Sasuke had become just as well as Sakura did. Naruto will try to save Sasuke even though it's hopeless, and he's willing to die to save him.
Time Skip!!!
The Uchiha brothers ruinion didn't really mean anything....
Time Skip!!!
Kishimoto has yet to write anything else that's relevant
So, now let's get down to business. I hope after you read that it's perfectly clear that Sakura, without a doubt, still loves Sasuke. Which is exactly why the only way we can have a fitting romantic end is if Sasuke turns good and Sakura gets to choose.
I rest my case, for now.
Edited by Branden, 11 June 2012 - 02:18 PM.