Aki-chan

I dont think a kiss will happen honestly. Being a shonen I get the feeling Naruto would be surprised, but he would honestly probably say something like "This isnt the right time for this."

The reason I say that? Naruto and Sakura haven't had much time together where they haven't been in an intense scene. I don't think kissing is going to be appropriate in any of the situations we have seen thus far, and honestly I think they both know it. PLUS.. Kissing really doesn't mean much. I think it would be more beneficial to Naruto's character to hear a verbal confession of love. Seeing as he has never heard.. I LOVE YOU before in his life. Where as he HAS KISSED SASUKE ALREADY. Kissing doesn't mean as much to Naruto as hearing those three words he has always longed to hear.

PLUS in all of these intense story arcs, I find it hard to see kissing going on. THey teams haven't honestly had a break for there to be a moment to kiss. Where as Sakura can yell I LOVE YOU at any point during a dramatic scene and it would probably mean more...

I hope that makes sense.

I think it can happen. We haven't actually had it said that she has given up on Sasuke. In fact, Kishimoto hasn't really revealed much about where team 7's affections and feelings lay at the moment. >> His vagueness is really quite annoying really. LOL.

We all knew about Sakura's feelings for Sasuke, and I think they actually became pretty serious for awhile. But Sasuke's feelings were always left open. Many of us feel he was only driven by his hate for his brother, which he was, but that doesn't mean hes completely heartless. Theres no reason Sasuke couldn't feel something towards Sakura, and once again Kishimoto definetly left Sasuke's feelings vague and up for interpretation. I mean, when he knocked her out, he didnt leave her on the ground, he picked her up and moved her to a bench. If Sasuke was heartless and just trying to get away, he prolly would have left her on the ground. LOL. My logic. XD

I mean heck he actually used to listen to Sakura. He doesn't really give a crap about Karin. Or any other girl really. Sakura actually meant SOMETHING. No matter what that something was. He even thanked her before he disappeared. WHY? And trust me, I don't think Sakura has really forgotten that either. >>

Honestly, I think it can happen. Not saying it will, but I think it has potential. Even if they end up somehow in the future like Azuma and Kurenai. "an implied romantic relationship where they are ALWAYS teamed up together" (and no I don't mean Sasuke ends up dead like Azuma.. >>)

For starters, I don't think people refuse to see Narusaku as a possible pairing at all. They do see its possibilities, Not one can really deny them. Its more that they just support something else or they dont like the idea of the pairing. I dont think people TRUELY refuse to admit its existance. If anything thats why they choose to argue it. XD

I also don't think romantic development is needed in a shonen manga. NARUTO'S base is friendship not romance. Many people want to view this manga in a shoujo light, but it is not shoujo. Romance takes a backseat to friendship. AKA story focuses on Naruto and Sakura's friendship. Not Hinata and Naruto's possible romance. I also feel that Hinata is perfectly capable of performing on her own (I mean she became a chuunin for goodness sake while he wasn't around) but I definetly feel that she needs to tell Naruto her feelings for her to complete her change. I struggle with finding a reason for having her be rejected by Naruto as well. It would only cause her character to regress back to the self conscious person she was in the beginning of NARUTO. It would take everything Hinata has to confess, and even I don't feel Kishimoto would be that cruel to her. I don't think it would register with Naruto for awhile though... >>

I won't comment on Sakura's feelings for naruto because honestly I think she may like him, and I am ok with that. I just feel Naruhina is gunna happen. If NaruSaku does happen though I'm happy. I've stated this before Im pro Naruhina, but its not my manga. Kishimoto can do what he wants and I will be happy. XD

Im more of a naruhina fan myself. Something about it I just love, but I don't mind how narusaku looks though.. XD

I just think theres more of a setup for naruhina. I'd perfer not to get into what evidence there is since I am greatly outnumbered here ^^;

I agree with you 100%. Naruto is the one who WANTS to be loved. Most of the other ninjas have been recognized, or are loved by someone. Be it their family or even Naruto himself. He loves and cares for everyone. Naruto wants love. I think his desire for love far overcomes the other characters, thustly the way he can love unconditionally people who may not ever love him back make his love for others stronger.

XD