In this fanfiction, perhaps Sakura misses the chance to confess her true feelings to Naruto. Maybe she hesitates for too long, and by the time she decides to act, Naruto has already moved on with someone else, like Hinata.
Well, it could be about Sakura having a chance at something like a great opportunity in her career or a relationship with someone she really likes. But for some reason, she fails to take it. Maybe she was too scared or misjudged the situation.
Perhaps Orochimaru. He might see Sakura's distraction from missing her chance as an opportunity to target Naruto or gain some advantage in his evil plans. He could manipulate the situation, making it even more difficult for Sakura to fix what she has missed.
Obviously, the main character is Sakura.
It's popular because their relationship in the original series is complex. They've been through a lot together. So, fanfiction writers like to explore Sakura's feelings of missing Naruto as it adds depth to her character.
A popular one is 'When Sakura Missed Naruto Most'. It's set during a time when Naruto is on a long - distance mission. Sakura realizes how much he means to her and the story details her journey of missing him, from small things like missing his laughter to big things like missing his support during tough times.
In this fanfiction, it could be that Sakura's squad is captured by a group of rogue ninjas. The rogues plan to use Sakura and her squad as hostages to get something from the Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto, upon hearing this news, sets out alone to rescue them. He tracks the rogues to their hideout. Once there, he uses his stealth skills to infiltrate the hideout. He then uses his powerful jutsus like the Nine - Tails Chakra Mode to overpower the rogues and save Sakura and her squad. This could also lead to some character development for Sakura as she realizes how much Naruto has grown and how much he cares for her.
It can lead to a shift in Naruto's character development. Instead of having a romantic arc centered around Sakura, he may focus more on his ninja duties or form different friendships. This could make him more independent and less influenced by the idea of winning Sakura's heart.
One possible reason could be that Sakura was too focused on her own goals and neglected her relationship with Naruto. In some fanfics, she might be so driven by her medical ninja career or her need to prove herself that she doesn't give Naruto the attention he needs. Another reason could be that Naruto's own growth and experiences lead him to find someone else more compatible. Maybe he meets a character who understands his pain of being an outcast more deeply, and Sakura just doesn't fit into that new vision of his future.
Maybe Naruto showed up late to a team meeting again. Sakura, who is always punctual, pouts at him as a sign of her disapproval. In the fanfiction, this could lead to a series of events where Naruto tries to make it up to her and in the process, they strengthen their friendship or even develop deeper feelings for each other.
One possible plot could be that Naruto decides to sing to Sakura to confess his love. He might choose a beautiful, secluded spot like the top of Hokage Rock. He sings a song that he has written himself, pouring all his unspoken feelings into the lyrics. Sakura is initially shocked but then starts to really listen and understand Naruto's deep emotions for her.